STORIES  FROM 
VIRGIL 

ALFRED  J.  CHURCH 


4*~& 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00022094724 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


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THE    FLIGHT    FROWTROY. 


Stories  From 
Virgil 

By  the 
Rev.   ALFRED  J.  CHURCH,  M.A. 

Author  of  "  Stories  from  Homer  " 
With  Twenty  Illustrations  from  Pixelli's  Designs 


New  York 
Dodd,  Mead  and  Company 

Publishers 


CONTENTS. 


»>t 


CHAP. 


PAGE 


I.  THE   HORSE   OF   WOOD, j 

II.  THE   SACK    OF    TROY, IO 

III.  .ENEAS    AND    ANCHISES, 20 

IV.  POLYDORUS— DELOS— CRETE— THE   HARPIES,  29 
V.  KING    HELENUS — THE    CYCLOPS,             ...  39 

VI.  THE    SHIPWRECK,       c  c2 

VII.  CARTHAGE, c8 

VIII.  DIDO 68 

IX.  THE    LOVE    AND    DEATH    OF   DIDO,        .           .           .  j8 

X.  THE    FUNERAL    GAMES    OF   ANCHISES.      .           .  96 

XI.  THE    FUNERAL    GAMES    (CONTINUED),             .           .  107 

XII.  THE     BURNING    OF    THE    SHIPS— THE    VOYAGE 

TO    ITALY H5 

XIII.  THE    SIBYL, I24 

XIV.  THE   DWELLINGS   OF  THE   DEAD,          .           .           .  132 

XV.  KING   LATINUS iaq 

I  * 


vi  CONTENTS. 


CHAP.  PAGB 

XVI.  THE  WRATH    OF  JUNO, 159 

XVII.  THE  GATHERING  OF  THE   CHIEFS,       .           .  167 

XVIII.  KING   EVANDER 173 

XIX.  THE    ARMS    OF   AENEAS,            ....  l8l 

XX.  NISUS   AND   EURYALUS, 1 90 

XXI.  THE    BATTLE    AT    THE    CAMP,          .           .           .  202 

XXII.  THE   BATTLE  ON   THE   SHORE,            .           .           .  210 

XXIII.  THE   COUNCIL, 226 

XXIV.  THE   BATTLE   AT   THE   CITY,      ....  235 
XXV.  THE    BROKEN    TREATY,             ....  245 

XXVI.  THE  DEATH   OF  TURNUS,  .  .  .  .253 


LIST   OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 


» •  •■ 


THE  FLIGHT  from  TROY Frontispiece. 

AENEAS   AND    HELEN, 20 

/ENEAS   AND   THE   SHADE   OF   CREUSA,             ...  26 

THE   HARPIES, g 

JUNO   AND  AEOLUS,            .  ,, 

NEPTUNE    STILLING   THE    WAVES 56 

DIDO    AND   THE    FALSE    ASCANIUS,          ....  76 

ENTELLUS   KILLING    THE   BULL,          .          .          .           .  IIO 

CHARON   AND   THE  GHOSTS, I3« 

CERBERUS, j,6 

/ENEAS   AND   THE    SHADE   OF  DIDO,        .  .  .  .1-8 

THE   FURY  AT   THE   FEAST, I42 

TURNUS   OVER  THE  BODIES   OF   ALMO   AND  GAL^SUS,  l6S 

^ENEAS  AND   TIBER, I74 

VULCAN  AND  THE  CYCLOPES !86 


viii  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

IRIS   APPEARING  TO   TURNUS,               ....  190 

NISUS   AND    EURYALUS, 198 

THE   MOTHER    OF    EURYALUS   RECEIVING  THE   NEWS 

OF    HIS   DEATH 200 

^ENEAS   AND   THE   BODY  OF   LAUSUS,          .           .          .  222 

THE  DEATH  OF  CAMILLA, 242 


TO  THE  HONORED  MEMORY 

OF 

JOHN     CONINGTON 

THIS  BOOK  IS  DEDICATED. 


PREFACE. 

The  favour  with  which  the  public  received 
"Stories  from  Homer"  has  encouraged  me  to  deal 
in  the  same  way  with  the  yEneid.  I  have  found 
it  a  difficult  task,  and  I  must  ask  the  indulgence 
of  my  readers,  who  will  certainly  miss,  not  only 
the  freshness  and  simplicity  of  the  great  Greek 
epic,  but  those  chief  characteristics  of  Virgil,  his 
supreme  mastery  of  expression  and  the  splen- 
dor of  his  style.  I  beg  them  to  remember 
that  I  do  not  attempt  to  translate  my  original, 
that  while  I  add  nothing  (except,  in  a  very  few 
instances,  an  explanatory  phrase),  I  am  con- 
strained to  leave  out  much ;  and  that  what 
I  leave  out,  or,  at  the  most,  very  inadequately 
render,  will  often  be  found  to  be  that  which 
they  have  been  accustomed  most  to  admire  in 


xii  PREFACE. 

the  poet, — his  brilliant  rhetoric,  his  philosophy, 
his  imagination,  and  his  pathos.  My  chief  aim 
has  been  to  represent  to  English  readers  the 
narrative,  the  interest  of  which  is,  perhaps, 
scarcely  appreciated. 

The  illustrations  (with  the  exception  of  the 
second,  which  is  taken  from  a  photograph  of 
the  antique)  have  been  adapted  from  a  series  of 
designs,  published  early  in  this  century,  by 
Pinelli,  a  Roman  artist  (i  781-1835),  who  ac- 
quired a  considerable  reputation  among  his 
countrymen,  especially  for  the  power  of  repre- 
senting energetic  action.  I  may  be  allowed  to 
express  my  great  obligations  to  the  pains  and 
skill  (to  which  indeed  this  volume  is  otherwise 
much  indebted)which  have  been  used  in  making 
these  designs  available  for  the  present  purpose. 

Retford, 

September  25,  1878. 


STORIES    FROM   VIRGIL. 
CHAPTER  I. 

THE    HORSE    OF    WOOD. 

For  ten  years  King  Agamemnon  and  the  men 
of  Greece  laid  siege  to  Troy.  But  though  sen- 
tence had  gone  forth  against  the  city,  yet  the 
day  of  its  fall  tarried,  because  certain  of  the  gods 
loved  it  well  and  defended  it,  as  Apollo,  and 
Mars,  the  god  of  war,  and  Father  Jupiter  him- 
self. Wherefore  Minerva  put  it  into  the  heart 
of  Epeius,  Lord  of  the  Isles,  that  he  should  make 
a  cunning  device  wherewith  to  take  the  city. 
Now  the  device  was  this :  he  made  a  great 
Horse  of  wood,  feigning  it  to  be  a  peace-offering 
to  Minerva,  that  the  Greeks  might  have  a  safe 
return  to  their  homes.  In  the  belly  of  this 
there  hid  themselves  certain  of  the  bravest  of 
the  chiefs,  as  Menelaiis,  and  Ulysses,  and  Thoas 


STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 


the  iEtolian,  and  Machaon.the  great  physician, 
and  Pyrrhus,  son  of  Achilles  (but  Achilles 
himself  was  dead,  slain  by  Paris,  Apollo  help- 
ing, even  as  he  was  about  to  take  the  city),  and 
others  also,  and  with  them  Epeius  himself.  But 
the  rest  of  the  people  made  as  if  they  had 
departed  to  their  homes ;  only  they  went  not 
further  than  Tenedos,  which  was  an  island  near 
to  the  coast. 

Great  joy  was  there  in  Troy  when  it  was 
noised  abroad  that  the  men  of  Greece  had 
departed.  The  gates  were  opened,  and  the 
people  went  forth  to  see  the  plain  and  the  camp. 
And  one  said  to  another,  as  they  went,  "  Here 
they  set  the  battle  in  array,  and  there  were  the 
tents  of  the  fierce  Achilles,  and  there  lay  the 
ships."  And  some  stood  and  marvelled  at  the 
great  peace-offering  to  Minerva,  even  the  Horse 
of  wood.  And  Thymoetes,  who  was  one  of  the 
elders  of  the  city,  was  the  first  who  advised  that 
it  should  be  brought  within  the  walls  and  set  in 
the  citadel.  Now  whether  he  gave  this  counsel 
out  of  a  false  heart,  or  because  the  Gods  would 
have  it  so,  no  man  knows.  But  Capys,  and 
others  with  him,  said  that  it  should  be  drowned 


THE  HORSE  OF  WOOD. 


in  water,  or  burned  with  fire,  or  that  men  should 
pierce  it  and  see  whether  there  were  aught 
within.  And  the  people  were  divided,  some  cry- 
ing one  thing  and  some  another.  Then  came 
forward  the  priest  Laocoon,  and  a  great  com- 
pany with  him,  crying,  "  What  madness  is  this  ? 
Think  ye  that  the  men  of  Greece  are  indeed 
departed,  or  that  there  is  any  profit  in  their 
gifts  ?  Surely,  there  are  armed  men  in  this 
mighty  Horse  ;  or  haply  they  have  made  it  that 
they  may  look  down  upon  our  walls.  Touch  it 
not,  for  as  for  these  men  of  Greece,  I  fear  them, 
even  though  they  bring  gifts  in  their  hands." 

And  as  he  spake  he  cast  his  great  spear  at  the 
Horse,  so  that  it  sounded  again.  But  the  Gods 
would  not  that  Troy  should  be  saved. 

Meanwhile  there  came  certain  shepherds 
dragging  with  them  one  whose  hands  were 
bound  behind  his  back.  He  had  come  forth  to 
them,  they  said,  of  his  own  accord,  when  they 
were  in  the  field.  And  first  the  young  men 
gathered  about  him  mocking  him,  but  when  he 
cried  aloud,  "  What  place  is  left  for  me,  for  the 
Greeks  suffer  me  not  to  live,  and  the  men  of 
Troy  cry  for  vengeance  upon  me  ? "  they  rather 


STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 


pitied  him,  and  bade  him  speak,  and  say  whence 
he  came  and  what  he  had  to  tell. 

Then  the  man  spake,  turning  to  King  Priam  : 
"  I  will  speak  the  truth,  whatever  befall  me.  My 
name  is  Sinon,  and  I  deny  not  that  I  am  a 
Greek.  Haply  thou  hast  heard  the  name  of 
Palamedes,  whom  the  Greeks  slew,  but  now, 
being  dead,  lament;  and  the  cause  was  that, 
because  he  counselled  peace,  men  falsely  accused 
him  of  treason.  Now,  of  this  Palamedes  I  was 
a  poor  kinsman,  and  followed  him  to  Troy.  And 
when  he  was  dead,  through  the  false  witness  of 
Ulysses,  I  lived  in  great  grief  and  trouble,  nor 
could  I  hold  my  peace,  but  sware  that  if  ever  I 
came  back  to  Argos  I  would  avenge  me  of  him 
that  had  done  this  deed.  Then  did  Ulysses 
seek  occasion  against  me,  whispering  evil  things, 
nor  rested  till  at  the  last,  Calchas  the  soothsayer 
helping  him — but  what  profit  it  that  I  should 
tell  these  things  ?  For  doubtless  ye  hold  one 
Greek  to  be  even  as  another.  Wherefore  slay 
me,  and  doubtless  ye  will  do  a  pleasure  to  Ulys- 
ses and  the  sons  of  Atreus." 

Then  they  bade  him  tell  on,  and  he  said, — 
"  Often  would  the  Greeks  have  fled  to  their 


THE  HORSE  OF  WOOD. 


homes,  being  weary  of  the  war,  but  still  the 
stormv  sea  hindered  them.  And  when  this 
Horse  that  ye  see  had  been  built,  most  of  all 
did  the  dreadful  thunder  roll  from  the  one  end 
of  the  heaven  to  the  other.  Then  the  Greeks 
sent  one  who  should  inquire  of  Apollo ;  and 
Apollo  answered  them  thus :  '  Men  of  Greece, 
even  as  ye  appeased  the  winds  with  blood  when 
ye  came  to  Troy,  so  must  ye  appease  them 
with  blood  now  that  ye  would  go  from  thence.' 
Then  did  men  tremble  to  think  on  whom  the 
doom  should  fall,  and  Ulysses,  with  much 
clamour,  drew  forth  Calchas  the  soothsayei 
into  the  midst,  and  bade  him  say  who  it  was 
that  the  Gods  would  have  as  a  sacrifice.  Then 
did  many  forbode  evil  for  me.  Ten  days  did 
the  soothsayer  keep  silence,  saying  that  he 
would  not  give  any  man  to  death.  But  then, 
for  in  truth  the  two  had  planned  the  matter 
beforehand,  he  spake,  appointing  me  to  die. 
And  to  this  thing  they  all  agreed,  each  being 
glad  to  turn  to  another  that  which  he  feared 
for  himself.  But  when  the  day  was  come,  and 
all  things  were  ready,  the  salted  meal  for  the 
sacrifice    and    the    garlands,    lo  !    I   burst   mv 


STORIES  FROM    VIRGIL. 


bonds  and  fled,  and  hid  myself  in  the  sedges  of 
a  pool,  waiting  till  they  should  have  set  sail,  if 
haply  that  might  be.  But  never  shall  I  see 
country,  or  father,  or  children  again.  For 
doubtless  on  these  will  they  take  vengeance 
for  my  flight.  Only  do  thou,  O  king,  have  pity 
on  me,  who  have  suffered  many  things,  not 
having  harmed  any  man." 

And  King  Priam  had  pity  on  him,  and  bade 
them  loose  his  bonds,  saying,  "  Whoever  thou 
art,  forget  now  thy  country.  Henceforth  thou 
art  one  of  us.  But  tell  me  true  :  why  made 
they  this  huge  Horse?  Who  contrived  it? 
What  seek  they  by  it?  to  please  the  Gods  or 
to  further  their  siege  ?" 

Then  said  Sinon,  and  as  he  spake  he 
stretched  his  hands  to  the  sky,  "  I  call  you  to 
witness,  ye  everlasting  fires  of  heaven,  that 
with  good  right  I  now  break  my  oath  of  fealty 
and  reveal  the  secrets  of  my  countrymen. 
Listen  then,  O  king.  All  our  hope  has  ever 
been  in  the  help  of  Minerva.  But,  from  the 
day  when  Diomed  and  Ulysses  dared,  having 
bloody  hands,  to  snatch  her  image  from  her 
holy  place  in  Troy,  her  face  was  turned  from 


THE  HORSE  OF   WOOD. 


us.  Well  do  I  remember  how  the  eyes  of  the 
image,  well-nigh  before  they  had  set  it  in  the 
camp,  blazed  with  wrath,  and  how  the  salt 
sweat  stood  upon  its  limbs,  aye,  and  how  it  thrice 
leapt  from  the  ground,  shaking  shield  and  spear. 
Then  Calchas  told  us  that  we  must  cross  the 
seas  again,  and  seek  at  home  fresh  omens 
for  our  war.  And  this,  indeed,  they  are  doing 
even  now,  and  will  return  anon.  Also  the 
soothsayer  said,  '  Meanwhile  ye  must  make 
the  likeness  of  a  Horse,  to  be  a  peace-offering  to 
Minerva.  And  take  heed  that  ye  make  it  huge 
of  bulk,  so  that  the  men  of  Troy  may  not  re- 
ceive it  into  their  gates,  nor  bring  it  within 
their  walls,  and  get  safety  for  themselves 
thereby.  For  if,'  he  said,  '  the  men  of  Troy 
harm  this  image  at  all,  they  shall  surely  perish ; 
but  if  they  bring  it  into  their  city,  then  shall 
Asia  lay  siege  hereafter  to  the  city  of  Pelops, 
and  our  children  shall  suffer  the  doom  which 
we  would  fain  have  brought  on  Trov.' " 

These  words  wrought  much  on  the  men  of 
Troy,  and  as  they  pondered  on  them,  lo  !  the 
Gods  sent  another  marvel  to  deceive  them. 
For  while  Laocoon,  the  priest  of  Neptune,  was 


STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 


slaying  a  bull  at  the  altar  of  his  god,  there 
came  two  serpents  across  the  sea  from  Tenedos, 
whose  heads  and  necks,  whereon  were  thick 
manes  of  hair,  were  high  above  the  waves,  and 
many  scaly  coils  trailed  behind  in  the  waters. 
And  when  they  reached  the  land  they  still  sped 
forward.  Their  eyes  were  red  as  blood  and 
blazed  with  fire,  and  their  forked  tongues  hissed 
loud  for  rage.  Then  all  the  men  of  Troy  grew 
pale  with  fear  and  fled  away,  but  these  turned 
not  aside  this  way  or  that,  seeking  Laocoon 
where  he  stood.  And  first  they  wrapped  them- 
selves about  his  little  sons,  one  serpent  about 
each,  and  began  to  devour  them.  And  when 
the  father  would  have  given  help  to  his  children, 
having  a  sword  in  his  hand,  they  seized  upon 
himself,  and  bound  him  fast  with  their  folds. 
Twice  they  compassed  him  about  his  body,  and 
twice  his  neck,  lifting  their  heads  far  above 
him.  And  all  the  while  he  strove  to  tear  them 
away  with  his  hands,  his  priest's  garlands  drip- 
ping with  blood.  Nor  did  he  cease  to  cry  hor- 
ribly aloud,  even  as  a  bull  bellows  when  after 
an  ill  stroke  of  the  axe  it  flees  from  the  altar. 
But  when  their  work  was  done,  the  two  glided 


THE  HORSE  OF   WOOD. 


to  the  citadel  of  Minerva,  and  hid  themselves 
beneath  the  feet  and  the  shield  of  the  goddess. 
And  men  said  one  to  another,  "  Lo !  the  priest 
Laocoon  has  been  judged  according  to  his 
deeds ;  for  he  cast  his  spear  against  this  holy 
thing,  and  now  the  Gods  have  slain  him."  Then 
all  cried  out  together  that  the  Horse  of  wood 
must  be  drawn  to  the  citadel.  Whereupon  they 
opened  the  Scasan  Gate,  and  pulled  down  the 
wall  that  was  thereby,  and  put  rollers  under  the 
feet  of  the  Horse,  and  joined  ropes  thereto.  So, 
in  much  joy,  they  drew  it  into  the  city,  youths 
and  maidens  singing  about  it  the  while,  and 
laying  their  hands  to  the  ropes  with  great  glad- 
ness. And  yet  there  wanted  not  signs  and 
tokens  of  evil  to  come.  Four  times  it  halted 
on  the  threshold  of  the  gate,  and  men  might 
have  heard  a  clashing  of  arms  within.  Cas- 
sandra also  opened  her  mouth,  prophesying 
evil :  but  no  man  heeded  her,  for  that  was  ever 
the  doom  upon  her,  not  to  be  believed  speaking 
truth.  So  the  men  of  Troy  drew  the  Horse 
into  the  city.  And  that  night  they  kept  a  feast 
to  all  the  Gods  with  great  joy,  not  knowing 
that  the  last  day  of  the  great  city  had  come. 


CHAPTER   II. 

THE    SACK    OF    TROY. 

But  when  night  was  now  fully  come,  and  the 
men  of  Troy  lay  asleep,  lo  !  from  the  ship  of 
King  Agamemnon  there  rose  up  a  flame  for  a 
signal  to  the  Greeks ;  and  these  straightway 
manned  their  ships,  and  made  across  the  sea 
from  Tenedos,  there  being  a  great  calm,  and  the 
moon  also  giving  them  light.  Sinon  likewise 
opened  a  secret  door  that  was  in  the  great 
Horse,  and  the  chiefs  issued  forth  therefrom, 
and  opened  the  gates  of  the  city,  slaying  those 
that  kept  watch. 

Meanwhile  there  came  a  vision  to  iEneas, 
who  now,  Hector  being  dead,  was  the  chief  hope 
and  stay  of  the  men  of  Troy.  It  was  Hector's 
self  that  he  seemed  to  see,  but  not  such  as  he 
had  seen  him  coming  back  rejoicing  with  the 
arms  of  Achilles,  or  setting  fire  to  the  ships,  but 
even  as  he  lay  after  that  Achilles  dragged  him 


THE  SACK  OF   TROY.  u 


at  hischariot  wheels,  covered  with  dust  and  blood, 
his  feet  swollen  and  pierced  through  with  thongs. 
To  him  said  /Eneas,  not  knowing  what  he  said, 
"  Why  hast  thou  tarried  so  long  ?  Much  have  we 
suffered  waiting  for  thee  !  And  what  grief  hath 
marked  thy  face  ?  and  whence  these  wounds  ?n 

But  to  this  the  spirit  answered  nothing,  but 
said,  groaning  the  while, "  Fly,  son  of  Venus,  fly, 
and  save  thee  from  these  flames.  The  enemy 
is  in  the  walls,  and  Troy  hath  utterly  perished. 
If  any  hand  could  have  saved  our  city,  this  hand 
had  done  so.  Thou  art  now  the  hope  of  Troy. 
Take  then  her  Gods,  and  flee  with  them  for 
company,  seeking  the  city  that  thou  shalt  one 
day  build  across  the  sea." 

And  now  the  alarm  of  battle  came  nearer  and 
nearer,  and  ^-Eneas,  waking  from  sleep,  climbed 
upon  the  roof,  and  looked  on  the  city.  As  a 
shepherd  stands,  and  sees  a  fierce  flame  sweep- 
ing before  the  south  wind  over  the  corn-fields  or 
a  flood  rushing  down  from  the  mountains,  so  he 
stood.  And  as  he  looked,  the  great  palace  of 
Dei'phobus  sank  down  in  the  fire,  and  the  house 
of  Ucalegon,  that  was  hard  by,  blazed  forth,  till 
the  sea  by  Sigeiim  shone  with  the  light.     Then,. 


12  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

scarce  knowing  what  he  sought,  he  girded  on 
his  armour,  thinking,  perchance,  that  he  might 
yet  win  some  place  of  vantage,  or,  at  the  least, 
might  avenge  himself  on  the  enemy,  or  find 
honour  in  his  death.  But  as  he  passed  from 
out  of  his  house  there  met  him  Panthus,  the 
priest  of  Apollo  that  was  on  the  citadel,  who 
cried  to  him,  "  O  iEneas,  the  glory  is  departed 
from  Troy,  and  the  Greeks  have  the  mastery 
in  the  city ;  for  armed  men  are  coming  forth 
from  the  great  Horse  of  wood,  and  thousands 
also  swarm  in  at  the  gates,  which  Sinon  hath 
treacherously  opened."  And  as  he  spake  others 
came  up  under  the  light  of  the  moon,  as 
Hypanis,  and  Dymas,  and  young  Coroebus, 
who  had  but  newly  come  to  Troy,  seeking 
Cassandra  to  be  his  wife.  To  whom  iEneas 
spake  :  "  If  ye  are  minded,  my  brethren,  to 
follow  me  to  the  death,  come  on.  For  how 
things  fare  this  night  ye  see.  The  Gods  who 
were  the  stay  of  this  city  have  departed  from 
it ;  nor  is  aught  remaining  to  which  we  may 
bring  succour.  Yet  can  we  die  as  brave  men  in 
battle.  And  haply  he  that  counts  his  life  to  be 
lost  may  yet  save  it."     Then,  even  as  ravening 


THE  SACK  OF   TROY.  13 


wolves  hasten  through  the  mist  seeking  for 
prey,  so  they  went  through  the  city,  doing 
dreadful  deeds.  And  for  a  while  the  men  of 
Greece  fled  before  them. 

First  of  all  there  met  them  Androgeos  with  a 
great  company  following  him,  who,  thinking 
them  to  be  friends,  said,  "  Haste,  comrades, 
why  are  ye  so  late  ?  We  are  spoiling  this  city 
of  Troy,  and  ye  are  but  newly  come  from  the 
ships."  But  forthwith,  for  they  answered  him 
not  as  he  had  looked  for,  he  knew  that  he  had 
fallen  among  enemies.  Then  even  as  one  who 
treads  upon  a  snake  unawares  among  thorns, 
and  flies  from  it  when  it  rises  angrily  against 
him  with  swelling  neck,  so  Androgeos  would 
have  fled.  But  the  men  of  Troy  rushed  on, 
and,  seeing  that  they  knew  all  the  place,  and 
that  great  fear  was  upon  the  Greeks,  slew 
many  men.  Then  said  Corcebus,  "  We  have 
good  luck  in  this  matter,  my  friends.  Come  now, 
let  us  change  our  shields,  and  put  upon  us  the 
armour  of  these  Greeks.  For  whether  we  deal 
with  our  enemy  by  craft  or  by  force,  who  will 
ask  ?  "  Then  he  took  to  himself  the  helmet  and 
shield  of  Androgeos,  and  also  girded  the  sword 


14  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

upon  him.  In  like  manner  did  the  others,  and 
thus  going  disguised  among  the  Greeks  slew 
many,  so  that  some  again  fled  to  the  ships  and 
some  were  fain  to  climb  into  the  Horse  of  wood. 
But  lo  !  men  came  dragging  by  the  hair  from 
the  temple  of  Minerva  the  virgin  Cassandra, 
whom  when  Coroebus  beheld,  and  how  she 
lifted  up  her  eyes  to  heaven  (but  as  for  her 
hands,  they  were  bound  with  iron),  he  endured 
not  the  sight,  but  threw  himself  upon  those  that 
dragged  her,  the  others  following  him.  Then 
did  a  grievous  mischance  befall  them,  for  the 
men  of  Troy  that  stood  upon  the  roof  of  the 
temple  cast  spears  against  them,  judging  them 
to  be  enemies.  The  Greeks  also,  being  wroth 
that  the  virgin  should  be  taken  from  them, 
fought  the  more  fiercely,  and  many  who  had 
before  been  put  to  flight  in  the  city  came 
against  them,  and  prevailed,  being  indeed  many 
against  few.  Then  first  of  all  fell  Coroebus,  being 
slain  by  Peneleus  the  Boeotian,  and  Rhipeus 
also,  the  most  righteous  of  all  the  sons  of  Troy. 
But  the  Gods  dealt  not  with  him  after  his 
righteousness.  Hypanis  also  was  slain  and 
Dymas,  and  Panthus  escaped  not  for  all  that 


THE  SACK  OF    TROY.  15 

more  than  other  men  he  feared  the  Gods  and 
was  also  the  priest  of  Apollo. 

Then  was  ^Eneas  severed  from  the  rest, 
having  with  him  two  only,  Iphitus  and  Pelias, 
Iphitus  being  an  old  man  and  Pelias  sorely 
wounded  by  Ulysses.  And  these,  hearing  a 
great  shouting,  hastened  to  the  palace  of  King 
Priam,  where  the  battle  was  fiercer  than  in  any 
place  beside.  For  some  of  the  Greeks  were 
seeking  to  climb  the  walls,  laying  ladders  there- 
to, whereon  they  stood,  holding  forth  their 
shields  with  their  left  hands,  and  with  their  right 
grasping  the  roofs.  And  the  men  of  Troy,  on 
the  other  hand,  being  in  the  last  extremity,  tore 
down  the  battlements  and  the  gilded  beams 
wherewith  the  men  of  old  had  adorned  the 
palace.  Then  ./Eneas,  knowing  of  a  secret  door 
whereby  the  unhappy  Andromache  in  past  days 
had  been  wont  to  enter,  bringing  her  son  Astya- 
nax  to  his  grandfather,  climbed  on  to  the  root, 
and  joined  himself  to  those  that  fought  there- 
from. Now  upon  this  roof  there  was  a  tower, 
whence  all  Troy  could  be  seen  and  the  camp 
of  the  Greeks  and  the  ships.  This  the  men  of 
Troy  loosened  from  its  foundations  with  bars 


1 6  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

of  iron,  and  thrust  it  over,  so  that  it  fell  upon 
the  enemy,  slaying  many  of  them.  But  not  the 
less  did  others  press  forward,  casting  the  while 
stones  and  javelins  and  all  that  came  to  their 
hands. 

Meanwhile  others  sought  to  break  down  the 
gates  of  the  palace,  Pyrrhus,  son  of  Achilles, 
being  foremost  among  them,  clad  in  shining 
armour  of  bronze.  Like  to  a  serpent  was  he, 
which  sleeps  indeed  during  the  winter,  but  in 
the  spring  comes  forth  into  the  light,  full  fed 
on  evil  herbs,  and,  having  cast  his  skin  and 
renewed  his  youth,  lifts  his  head  into  the  light 
of  the  sun  and  hisses  with  forked  tongue.  And 
with  Pyrrhus  were  tall  Periphas,  and  Autome- 
don,  who  had  been  armour-bearer  to  his  father 
Achilles,  and  following  them  the  youth  of  Scy- 
ros,  which  was  the  kingdom  of  his  grandfather 
Lycomedes.  With  a  great  battle-axe  he  hewed 
through  the  doors,  breaking  down  also  the  door- 
posts, though  they  were  plated  with  bronze, 
making,  as  it  were,  a  great  window,  through 
which  a  man  might  see  the  palace  within,  the 
hall  of  King  Priam  and  of  the  kings  who  had 
reigned  aforetime  in  Troy.     But  when  they  that 


THE  SACK  OF    TROY.  17 

were  within  perceived  it,  there  arose  a  great  cry 
of  women  wailing  aloud  and  clinging-  to  the 
doors  and  kissing  them.  But  ever  Pyrrhus 
pressed  on,  fierce  and  strong  as  ever  was  his 
father  Achilles,  nor  could  aught  stand  against 
him,  either  the  doors  or  they  that  guarded  them. 
Then,  as  a  river  bursts  its  banks  and  overflows 
the  plain,  so  did  the  sons  of  Greece  rush  into 
the  palace. 

But  old  Priam,  when  he  saw  the  enemy  in  his 
hall,  girded  on  him  his  armour,  which  now  by 
reason  of  old  age  he  had  long  laid  aside,  and 
took  a  spear  in  his  hand,  and  would  have  gone 
against  the  adversary,  only  Queen  Hecuba 
called  to  him  from  where  she  sat.  For  she  and 
her  daughters  had  fled  to  the  great  altar  of  the 
household  gods,  and  sat  crowded  about  it  like 
unto  doves  that  are  driven  by  a  storm.  Now 
the  altar  stood  in  an  open  court  that  was  in  the 
midst  of  the  palace,  with  a  great  bay-tree  above 
it  So  when  she  saw  Priam,  how  he  had  girded 
himself  with  armour  as  a  youth,  she  cried  to 
him  and  said,  "  What  hath  bewitched  thee,  that 
thou  girdest  thvself  with  armour  ?  It  is  not  the 
sword  that  shall  help  us  this  day  ;  no,  not  though 


STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 


my  own  Hector  were  here,  but  rather  the  Gods 
and  their  altars.  Come  hither  to  us,  for  here 
thou  wilt  be  safe,  or  at  the  least  wilt  die  with 
us." 

So  she  made  the  old  man  sit  down  in  the 
midst.  But  lo  !  there  came  flying  through  the 
palace,  Polites,  his  son,  wounded  to  death  by  the 
spear  of  Pyrrhus,  and  Pyrrhus  close  behind  him. 
And  he,  even  as  he  came  into  the  sight  of  his 
father  and  his  mother,  fell  dead  upon  the  ground. 
But  when  King  Priam  saw  it  he  contained  not 
himself,  but  cried  aloud,  "  Now  may  the  gods,  if 
there  be  any  justice  in  heaven,  recompense  thee 
for  this  wickedness,  seeing  that  thou  hast  not 
spared  to  slay  the  son  before  his  father's  eyes. 
Great  Achilles,  whom  thou  falsely  callest  thy 
sire,  did  not  thus  to  Priam,  though  he  was  an 
enemy,  but  reverenced  right  and  truth,  and  gave 
the  body  of  Hector  for  burial,  and  sent  me 
back  to  my  city." 

And  as  he  spake  the  old  man  cast  a  spear, 
but  aimless  and  without  force,  and  that  pierced 
not  even  the  boss  of  the  shield.  Then  said  the 
son  of  Achilles,  "  Go  thou  and  tell  my  father  of 
his  unworthy  son  and  all  these  evils  deeds.     And 


THE  SACK  OF    TROY.  19 

that  thou  mayest  tell  him  die ! "  And  as  he 
spake  he  caught  in  his  left  hand  the  old  man's 
white  hair,  and  dragged  him,  slipping  the  while 
in  the  blood  of  his  own  son,  to  the  altar,  and  then, 
lifting  his  sword  high  for  a  blow,  drave  it  to  the 
hilt  in  the  old  man's  side.  So  King  Priam,  who 
had  ruled  mightily  over  many  peoples  and  coun- 
tries in  the  land  of  Asia,  was  slain  that  night, 
having  first  seen  Troy  burning  about  him,  and 
his  citadel  laid  even  with  the  ground.  So  was 
his  carcass  cast  out  upon  the  earth,  headless, 
and  without  a  name. 


CHAPTER  III. 

^NEAS    AND    ANCHISES. 

All  these  things,  indeed,  JEneas  beheld,  but 
could  not  bear  help,  being  one  against  many. 
But  when  the  deed  was  done,  and  the  old  man 
lay  dead,  he  bethought  him  of  his  father  An- 
chises,  and  his  wife  Creiisa,  and  of  his  little  son 
Ascanius,  and  how  he  had  left  them  without  de- 
fence at  home.  But  as  he  turned  to  seek  them, 
the  night  being  now,  by  reason  of  many  fires,  as 
clear  as  the  day,  he  espied  Helen  sitting  in  the 
temple  of  Vesta,  where  she  had  sought  sanc- 
tuary ;  for  she  feared  the  men  of  Troy,  to  whom 
she  had  brought  ruin  and  destruction,  and  not 
less  her  own  husband,  whom  she  had  deceived. 
Then  was  his  wrath  kindled,  and  he  spake  to 
himself,  "  Shall  this  evil  woman  return  safe  to 
Sparta  ?  Shall  she  see  again  her  home  and  her 
children,  with  Trojan  women  forsooth  to  be  her 
handmaidens  ?     Shall  Troy  be  burnt  and  King 


APNEAS  AND  ANCHISES.  21 

Priam  be  slain,  and  she  take  no  harm  ?  Not 
so  ;  for  though  there  be  no  glory  to  be  won  from 
such  a  deed,  yet  shall  I  satisfy  myself,  taking 
vengeance  upon  her  for  my  kinsmen  and  my 
countrymen."  But  while  he  thought  these 
things  in  his  heart,  lo  !  there  appeared  unto 
him  Venus,  his  mother,  made  manifest  as  he 
had  never  seen  her  before,  as  fair  and  as  tall  as 
the  dwellers  in  heaven  behold  her.  Then 
Venus  spake  thus,  "  What  meaneth  all  this 
rage,  my  son?  Hast  thou  no  care  for  me? 
Hast  thou  forgotten  thy  father  Anchises,  and 
thy  wife,  and  thy  little  son  ?  Of  a  surety  the 
fire  and  the  sword  had  consumed  them  long 
since  but  that  I  cared  for  them  and  saved  them. 
It  is  not  Helen  ;  no,  nor  Paris,  that  hath  laid 
low  this  great  city  of  Troy,  but  the  wrath  of  the 
Gods.  See  now,  for  I  will  take  away  the  mist 
that  covers  thine  eyes ;  see  how  Neptune  with 
his  trident  is  overthrowing  the  walls  and  root- 
ing up  the  city  from  its  foundations  ;  and  how 
Juno  stands  with  spear  and  shield  in  the  Scaean 
Gate,  and  calls  fresh  hosts  from  the  ships  ;  and 
how  Pallas  sits  on  the  height  with  the  storm- 
cloud  about  her  and  her  Gorgon  shield  ;  and 


22  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

how  Father  Jupiter  himself  stirs  up  the  enemy 
against  Troy.  Fly,  therefore,  my  son.  I  will 
not  leave  thee  till  thou  shalt  reach  thy  father's 
house."  And  as  she  spake  she  vanished  in  the 
darkness. 

Then  did  ^Eneas  see  dreadful  forms  and 
Gods  who  were  the  enemies  of  Troy,  and  before 
his  eyes  the  whole  city  seemed  to  sink  down 
into  the  fire.  Even  as  a  mountain  oak  upon 
the  hills  on  which  the  woodmen  ply  their 
axes  bows  its  head  while  all  its  boughs  shake 
about  it,  till  at  last,  as  blow  comes  after  blow, 
with  a  mighty  groan  it  falls  crashing  down 
from  the  height,  even  so  the  city  seemed  to  fall. 
Then  did  ^Eneas  pass  on  his  way,  the  goddess 
leading  him,  and  the  flames  gave  place  to  him, 
and  the  javelins  harmed  him  not. 

But  when  he  was  come  to  his  house  he  be- 
thought him  first  of  the  old  man  his  father  ;  but 
when  he  would  have  carried  him  to  the  hills, 
Anchises  would  not,  being  loath  to  live  in  some 
strange  country  when  Troy  had  perished. 
"  Nay,"  said  he,  "  fly  ye  who  are  strong  and  in 
the  flower  of  your  days.  But  as  for  me,  if  the 
Gods  had  willed  that  I  should  live,  they  had  saved 


AENEAS  AND  ANCHISES.  23 

this  dwelling  for  me.  Enough  it  is,  yea,  and 
more  than  enough,  that  once  I  have  seen  this 
city  taken,  and  lived.  Bid  me,  then,  farewell 
as  though  I  were  dead.  Death  will  I  find  for 
myself.  And  truly  I  have  long  lingered  here 
a  useless  stock  and  hated  of  the  Gods  since 
Jupiter  smote  me  with  the  blast  of  his  thunder." 
Nor  could  the  old  man  be  moved  from  his 
purpose,  though  his  son  and  his  son's  wife,  and 
even  the  child  Ascanius,  besought  him  with 
many  tears  that  he  should  not  make  yet  heav- 
ier the  doom  that  was  upon  them.  Then  was 
/Eneas  minded  to  go  back  to  the  battle  and  die. 
For  what  hope  was  left  ?  "  Thoughtest  thou,  my 
father,"  he  cried,  "  that  I  should  flee  and  leave 
thee  behind  ?  What  evil  word  is  this  that  has 
fallen  from  thy  lips  ?  If  the  Gods  will  have  it 
that  nought  of  Troy  should  be  left,  and  thou 
be  minded  that  thou  and  thine  should  perish 
with  the  city,  be  it  so.  The  way  is  easy  ;  soon 
will  Pyrrhus  be  here  ;  Pyrrhus,  red  with  Priam's 
blood  ;  Pyrrhus,  who  slays  the  son  before  the 
face  of  the  father,  and  the  father  at  the  altar. 
Was  it  for  this,  kind  Mother  Venus,  that  thou 
broughtest  me  safe  through  fire  and  sword,  to 


24  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

see  the  enemy  in  my  home,  and  my  father  and 
my  wife  and  my  son  lying  slaughtered  together  ? 
Comrades,  give  me  my  arms,  and  take  me  back 
to  the  battle.    At  the  least  I  will  die  avenged." 

But  as  he  girded  on  his  arms  and  would  have 
departed  from  the  house,  his  wife  Creusa  caught 
his  feet  upon  the  threshold,  staying  him,  and 
held  out  the  little  Ascanius,  saying,  "If  thou 
goest  to  thy  death,  take  wife  and  child  with 
thee ;  but  if  thou  hopest  aught  from  arms,  guard 
first  the  house  where  thou  hast  father  and  wife 
and  child." 

And  lo !  as  she  spake  there  befell  a  mighty 
marvel,  for  before  the  face  of  father  and  mother 
there  was  seen  to  shine  a  light  on  the  head  of 
the  boy  Ascanius,  and  to  play  upon  his  waving 
hair  and  glitter  on  his  temples.  And  when  they 
feared  to  see  this  thing,  and  would  have  stifled 
the  flame  or  quenched  it  with  water,  the  old  man 
Anchises  in  great  joy  raised  his  eyes  to  heaven, 
and  cried  aloud,  "  O  Father  Jupiter,  if  prayer 
move  thee  at  all,  give  thine  aid  and  make  this 
omen  sure."  And  even  as  he  spake  the  thunder 
rolled  on  his  left  hand,  and  a  star  shot  through 
the  skies,  leaving  a  long  trail  of  light  behind, 


AtNEAS  AND  ANCHISES.  25 

and  passed  over  the  house-tops  till  it  was  hidden 
in  the  woods  of  Ida.  Then  the  old  man  lifted 
himself  up  and  did  obeisance  to  the  star,  and 
said,  "  I  delay  no  more  :  whithersoever  ye  lead 
I  will  follow.  Gods  of  my  country,  save  my 
house  and  my  grandson.  This  omen  is  of  you. 
And  now,  my  son,  I  refuse  not  to  go." 

Then  said  ^Eneas,  and  as  he  spake  the  fire 
came  nearer,  and  the  light  was  clearer  to  see, 
and  the  heat  more  fierce,  "  Climb,  dear  father,  on 
my  shoulders  ;  I  will  bear  thee,  nor  grow  weary 
with  the  weight.  We  will  be  saved  or  perish 
together.  The  little  Ascanius  shall  go  with 
me,  and  my  wife  follow  behind,  not  over  near. 
And  ye,  servants  of  my  house,  hearken  to  me ; 
ye  mind  how  that  to  one  who  passes  out  of  the 
city  there  is  a  tomb  and  a  temple  of  Ceres  in  a 
lonely  place,  and  an  ancient  cypress-tree  hard 
by.  There  will  we  gather  by  divers  ways. 
And  do  thou,  my  father,  take  the  holy  images 
in  thy  hands,  for  as  for  me,  who  have  but  newly 
come  from  battle,  I  may  not  touch  them  till 
I  have  washed  me  in  the  running  stream." 

And  as  he  spake  he  put  a  cloak  of  lion's  skin 
upon  his  shoulders,  and  the  old  man  sat  thereon. 


26  STORIES  FROM    VIRGIL. 

Ascanius  also  laid  hold  of  his  hand,  and  Creiisa 
followed  behind.  So  he  went  in  much  dread  and 
trembling.  For  indeed  before  sword  and  spear  of 
the  enemy  he  had  not  feared,  but  now  he  feared 
for  them  that  were  with  him.  But  when  he  was 
come  nigh  unto  the  gates,  and  the  journey  was 
well-nigh  finished,  there  befell  a  grievous  mis- 
chance, for  there  was  heard  a  sound  as  of  many 
feet  through  the  darkness ;  and  the  old  man  cried 
to  him,  "Fly,  my  son,  fly;  they  are  coming.  I 
see  the  flashing  of  shields  and  swords."  But  as 
iEneas  hasted  to  go,  Creiisa  his  wife  was  severed 
from  him.  But  whether  she  wandered  from  the 
way  or  sat  down  in  weariness,  no  man  may  say. 
Only  he  saw  her  no  more,  nor  knew  her  to  be 
lost  till,  all  his  company  being  met  at  the  temple 
of  Ceres,  she  only  was  found  wanting.  Very 
grievous  did  the  thing  seem  to  him,  nor  did  he 
cease  to  cry  out  in  his  wrath  against  Gods  and 
men.  Also  he  bade  his  comrades  have  a  care  of 
his  father  and  his  son,  and  of  the  household 
Gods,  and  girded  him  again  with  arms,  and  so 
passed  into  the  city.  And  first  he  went  to  the 
wall  and  to  the  gate  by  which  he  had  come  forth, 
and  then  to  his  house,  if  haply  she  had  returned 


jENEAS  AND   ANCHISES.  27 

thither.  But  there  indeed  the  men  of  Greece 
were  come,  and  the  fire  had  well-nigh  mastered 
it.  And  after  that  he  went  to  the  citadel  and 
to  the  palace  of  King  Priam,  And  lo  !  in  the 
porch  of  Juno's  temple,  Phoenix  and  Ulysses 
were  keeping  guard  over  the  spoil,  even  the  trea- 
sure of  the  temples,  tables  of  the  Gods,  and  solid 
cups  of  gold,  and  raiment,  and  a  long  array  of 
them  that  had  been  taken  captive,  children  and 
women.  But  not  the  less  did  he  seek  his  wife 
through  all  the  streets  of  the  city,  yea,  and  called 
her  aloud  by  name.  But  lo !  as  he  called,  the 
image  of  her  whom  he  sought  seemed  to  stand 
before  him,  only  greater  than  she  had  been 
while  she  was  yet  alive.  And  the  spirit  spake, 
saying,  "  Why  art  thou  vainly  troubled  ?  These 
things  have  not  befallen  us  against  the  pleasure 
of  the  Gods.  The  ruler  of  Olympus  willeth  not 
that  Creiisa  should  bear  thee  company  in  thy 
journey.  For  thou  hast  a  long  journey  to  take, 
and  many  seas  to  cross,  till  thou  come  to  the 
Hesperian  shore,  where  Lydian  Tiber  flows  soft- 
ly through  a  good  land  and  a  fertile.  There  shalt 
thou  have  great  prosperity,  and  take  to  thyself  a 
wife  of  royal  race.     Weep  not  then  for  Creiisa, 


28  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

whom  thou  lovest,  nor  think  that  I  shall  be  car- 
ried away  to  be  a  bond-slave  to  some  Grecian 
woman.  Such  fate  befits  not  a  daughter  of 
Dardanus  and  daughter-in-law  of  Venus.  The 
mighty  Mother  of  the  Gods  keepeth  me  in  this 
land  to  serve  her.  And  now,  farewell,  and  love 
the  young  Ascanius,  even  thy  son  and  mine." 

So  spake  the  spirit,  and,  when  iEneas  wept 
and  would  have  spoken,  vanished  out  of  his 
sight.  Thrice  he  would  have  cast  his  arms  about 
her  neck,  and  thrice  the  image  mocked  him, 
being  thin  as  air  and  fleeting  as  a  dream.  Then, 
the  night  being  now  spent,  he  sought  his 
comrades,  and  found  with  much  joy  and  wonder 
that  a  great  company  of  men  and  women  were 
gathered  together,  and  were  willing,  all  of  them, 
to  follow  him  whithersoever  he  went.  And  now 
the  morning  star  rose  over  Mount  Ida,  and 
vEneas,  seeing  that  the  Greeks  held  the  city, 
and  that  there  was  no  longer  any  hope  of  suc- 
cour, went  his  way  to  the  mountains,  taking 
with  him  his  father. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

POLYDORUS DELOS CRETE THE    HARPIES. 

Now  for  what  remained  of  that  year  (for  it  was 
the  time  of  summer  when  Troy  was  taken), 
iEneas,  and  they  that  were  gathered  to  him, 
builded  themselves  ships  for  the  voyage,  dwell- 
ing the  while  under  Mount  Ida ;  and  when  the 
summer  was  well-nigh  come  again  the  work 
was  finished,  and  the  old  man  Anchises  com- 
manded that  they  should  tarry  no  longer 
Whereupon  they  sailed,  taking  also  their  gods 
with  them. 

There  was  a  certain  land  of  Thrace,  which 
the  god  Mars  loved  beyond  all  other  lands, 
whereof  in  time  past  the  fierce  Lycurgus,  who 
would  have  slain  Bacchus,  was  king.  Here, 
therefore,  for  the  men  of  the  land  were  friendly, 
or,  at  the  least,  had  been  before  evil  days  came 
upon  Troy,  iEneas  builded  him  a  city,  and 
called  it  after  his  own  name.    But,  after  awhile. 

2Q 


3Q  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

as  he  did  sacrifice  on  a  certain  day  to  his  mother, 
even  Venus,  that  he  might  have  a  blessing  on 
his  work,  slaying  also  a  white  bull  to  Jupiter, 
there  befell  a  certain  horrible  thing.  For  hard 
by  the  place  where  he  did  sacrifice  there  was  a 
little  hill, with  much  cornel  and  myrtle  upon  it, 
whereto  iEneas  coming  would  have  plucked 
wands  having  leaves  upon  them,  that  he  might 
cover  therewith  the  altars.  But  lo  !  when  he 
plucked  a  wand  there  dropped  drops  of  blood 
therefrom.  Whereupon  great  fear  came  on 
him,  and  wonder  also.  And  when  seeking  to 
know  the  cause  of  the  thing  he  plucked  other 
wands  also,  there  dropped  blood  even  as  before. 
Then,  having  prayed  to  the  nymphs  of  the 
land  and  to  Father  Mars  that  they  would  turn 
all  evil  from  him,  he  essayed  the  third  time 
with  all  his  might,  setting  his  knee  against  the 
ground,  to  pluck  forth  a  wand.  Whereupon 
there  issued  from  the  hill  a  lamentable  voice, 
saying,  "  iEneas,  why  doest  thou  me  such  cruel 
hurt,  nor  leavest  me  in  peace  in  my  grave  ? 
For  indeed  I  am  no  stranger  to  thee,  nor 
strange  is  this  blood  which  thou  seest.  Fly,  for 
the  land  is  cruel,  and  the  shore  greedy  of  gain. 


POLYDORUS—DELOS— CRETE,   ETC.  31 

I  am  Polydorus.  Here  was  I  pierced  through 
with  spears,  which  have  grown  into  these  wands 
that  thou  seest." 

But  yEneas  when  he  heard  the  voice  was  sore 
dismayed,  and  he  remembered  him  how  King 
Priam,  thinking  that  it  might  fare  ill  with  him 
and  the  great  city  of  Troy,  had  sent  his  son, 
Polydorus,  by  stealth,  and  much  gold  with 
him,  to  Polymestor,  who  was  King  of  Thrace, 
and  how  the  king,  when  Troy  had  now  perished, 
slew  the  boy,  and  took  the  gold  to  himself. 
For  of  a  truth  the  love  of  gold  is  the  root  of  all 
evil.  And  iEneas  told  the  thing  to  his  father 
and  to  the  chiefs  ;  and  the  sentence  of  all  was 
that  they  should  depart  from  the  evil  land.  But 
first  they  made  a  great  funeral  for  Polydorus, 
making  a  high  mound  of  earth,  and  building 
thereon  an  altar  to  the  dead.  This  also  they 
bound  about  with  garlands  of  sad-coloured 
wool  and  cypress,  and  the  women  of  Troy  stood 
about  it  with  their  hair  loosened,  as  is  the  use 
of  them  that  mourn.  They  offered  also  bowls 
of  warm  milk  and  blood,  and  laid  the  spirit  in 
the  tomb,  bidding  him  farewell  three  times  with 
a  loud  voice. 


32  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

After  this,  when  the  time  for  voyaging  was 
come,  and  the  south  wind  blew  softly,  they 
launched  the  ships  and  set  sail.  And  first  they 
came  to  the  island  of  Delos,  which,  having 
been  used  to  wander  over  the  sea,  the  Lord 
of  the  Silver  Bow  made  fast,  binding  it  to 
Myconos  and  Gyaros,  and  found  there  quiet 
anchorage.  And  when  they  landed  to  worship, 
there  met  them  Anius,  who  was  priest  and  king 
of  the  place,  having  a  crown  of  bay -leaves 
about  his  head,  who  knew  Anchises  for  a  friend 
in  time  past,  and  used  to  them  much  hospitality. 
Then  did  they  pray  to  the  god,  saying,  "  Give 
us,  we  beseech  thee,  a  home  where  we  may 
dwell,  and  a  name  upon  the  earth,  and  a  city 
that  shall  abide,  even  a  second  Troy  for  them 
that  have  escaped  from  the  hands  of  Achilles 
and  the  Greeks.  And  do  thou  answer  us,  and 
incline  our  hearts  that  we  may  know." 

But  when  iEneas  had  ended  these  words, 
straightway  the  place  was  shaken,  even  the 
gates  of  the  temple  and  the  bay-trees  that  were 
hard  by.  And  when  they  were  all  fallen  to  the 
ground  there  came  a  voice,  saying,  "  Son  of 
Dardanus,  the    land  that    first    bare  you   shall 


POLYDORUS—DELOS— CRETE,   ETC.  33 

receive  you  again.  Seek,  then,  your  ancient 
mother.  Thence  shall  the  children  of  iEneas 
bear  rule  over  all  lands,  yea,  and  their  children's 
children  to  many  generations."  Which  when 
they  had  heard,  they  greatly  rejoiced,  and  would 
fain  know  what  was  the  city  whither  Phoebus 
would  have  them  go,  that  they  might  cease 
from  their  wanderings.  Then  Anchises,  ponder- 
ing in  his  heart  the  things  which  he  had  learnt 
from  men  of  old  time,  spake  thus:  "There 
lieth  in  mid-ocean  a  certain  island  of  Crete 
wherein  is  a  mountain,  Ida.  There  was  the 
first  beginning  of  our  nation.  Thence  came 
Teucer,  our  first  father,  to  the  land  of  Troy. 
Let  us  go,  then,  whither  the  Gods  would  send 
us,  first  doing  sacrifice  to  the  Winds  ;  and,  in- 
deed, if  but  Jupiter  help  us,  'tis  but  a  three 
days'  journey  for  our  ships." 

So  they  offered  sacrifice,  a  bull  to  Neptune 
and  a  bull  to  the  beautiful  Apollo,  and  a  black 
sheep  to  the  Storm  and  a  white  sheep  to  the 
West  Wind.  There  came  also  a  rumour  that 
Idomeneus  the  Cretan  had  fled  from  his  father's 
kingdom,  and  that  the  land  was  ready  for  him 
who  should  take  it.     Whereupon  the  men  of 


34  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

Troy  set  sail  with  a  good  heart,  and  passing 
among  the  islands  that  are  called  Cyclades,  the 
wind  blowing  favourably  behind  them,  so  came 
to  Crete.  There  they  builded  a  city,  and  called 
its  name  Pergamea,  after  Pergama,  which  was 
the  citadel  of  Troy.  And  for  a  while  they  tilled 
the  soil ;  also  they  married  and  were  given  in 
marriage,  as  purposing  to  abide  in  the  land. 
But  there  came  a  wasting  sickness  on  the  men, 
and  a  blight  also  on  the  trees  and  harvests,  filling 
the  year  with  death.  The  fields  likewise  were 
parched  with  drought,  and  the  staff  of  bread 
was  broken.  Then  the  old  Anchises  bade  them 
go  yet  again  to  the  oracle  at  Delos,  and  inquire 
of  the  god  what  end  there  should  be  of  these 
troubles,  whence  they  should  seek  for  help,  and 
whither  they  should  go. 

But  as  iEneas  slept  there  appeared  to  him 
the  household  gods,  which  he  had  carried  out 
of  the  burning  of  Troy,  very  clear  to  see  in  the 
light  of  the  moon,  which  shone  through  the 
window  of  his  chamber.  And  they  spake  unto 
him,  saying,  "  Apollo  bids  us  tell  thee  here  that 
which  he  will  tell  thee  if  thou  goest  to  Delos. 
We  who  have  followed  thee  over  many  seas, 


POLYDORUS—DELOS— CRETE,   ETC.  35 

even  we  will  bring  thy  children's  children  to 
great  honour,  and  make  their  city  ruler  over 
many  nations.  Faint  not,  therefore,  at  thy  long 
wandering.  Thou  must  seek  yet  another  home. 
For  it  was  not  in  Crete  that  Apollo  bade  thee 
dwell.  There  is  a  land  which  the  Greeks  call 
Hesperia ;  an  ancient  land,  whose  inhabitants 
are  mighty  men  of  valour  ;  a  land  of  vineyards 
and  wheat.  There  is  our  proper  home,  and 
thence  came  Dardanus  our  father.  Do  thou, 
therefore,  tell  these  things  to  the  old  man 
Anchises.  Seek  ye  for  the  land  of  Hesperia, 
which  men  also  call  Italy;  but  as  for  Crete, 
Jupiter  willeth  not  that  ye  should  dwell  there." 
And  for  a  while  ^Eneas  lay  in  great  fear, 
with  a  cold  sweat  upon  him,  so  clear  was  the 
vision  of  those  whom  he  saw,  nor  in  anywise 
like  unto  a  dream.  Then  he  rose  up  from  his 
bed,  and  after  prayer  and  sacrifice  told  the  thing 
to  Anchises.  And  the  old  man  saw  that  he 
had  been  deceived  in  this  matter,  and  he  said, 
"  O  my  son,  now  do  I  remember  how  Cas- 
sandra was  wont  to  prophesy  these  things  to 
me,  and  would  speak  of  Hesperia  and  of  the 
land  of  Italy.     But,  indeed,  no  man  thought  in 


36  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

those  days  that  the  men  of  Troy  should  voyage 
to  Hesperia,  nor  did  any  take  account  of  the 
words  of  Cassandra.  But  now  let  us  heed  the 
oracle  of  Apollo,  and  depart." 

So  the  men  of  Troy  made  their  ships  ready 
and  departed.  And  after  a  while,  when  they 
could  no  more  see  the  land,  there  fell  a  great 
storm  upon  them,  with  a  strong  wind  and  great 
rolling  waves,  and  much  lightning  also.  Thus 
were  they  driven  out  of  their  course,  and  for 
three  days  and  nights  saw  neither  the  sun  nor 
the  stars.  But  on  the  fourth  day  they  came  to 
a  land  where  they  saw  hills,  and  smoke  rising 
therefrom.  Then  did  the  men  ply  their  oars 
amain,  and  soon  came  to  the  shore.  Now  this 
place  they  found  to  be  one  of  certain  islands 
which  men  name  the  Strophades.  And  upon 
these  islands  dwell  creatures  which  are  called 
Harpies,  very  evil  indeed,  having  the  counte- 
nances of  women  and  wings  like  unto  the  wings 
of  birds  and  long  claws.  Also  their  faces  are 
pale  as  with  much  hunger.  Now  when  the  men 
of  Troy  were  come  to  this  land,  they  saw  many 
herds  of  oxen  and  flocks  of  goats  thereon,  nor 
any  one  to  watch  them.    Of  these  they  slew  such. 


POLYDORUS—DELOS— CRETE,    ETC.  yj 


as  they  needed,  and,  not  forgetting  to  give  due 
share  to  the  Gods,  made  a  great  feast  upon  the 
shore.  But  lo  !  even  while  they  made  merry, 
there  came  a  great  rushing  of  wings,  and  the 
Harpies  came  upon  them,  making  great  havoc 
of  the  meat  and  fouling  all  things  most  horribly. 
And  when  they  had  departed,  the  men  of  Troy 
sought  another  place  where  they  might  do  sac- 
rifice and  eat  their  meat  in  peace.  But  when 
the  Harpies  had  come  thither  also  and  done  in 
the  same  fashion,  /Eneas  commanded  that  the 
men  should  draw  their  swords  and  do  battle  with 
the  beasts.  Therefore,  the  Harpies  coming  yet 
again,  Misenus  with  his  trumpet  gave  the  sound 
for  battle.  But  lo  !  they  fought  as  those  that 
beat  the  air,  seeing  that  neither  sword  nor  spear 
availed  to  wound  the  beasts.  Then  again  these 
departed,  one  only  remaining,  by  name  Celasno, 
who,  sitting  on  a  rock,  spake  after  this  fashion  : 
"  Do  ye  purpose,  sons  of  Laomedon,  to  fight  for 
these  cattle  that  ye  have  wrongfully  taken, 
or  to  drive  the  Harpies  from  their  kingdom 
and  inheritance?  Hear,  therefore,  my  words, 
which  indeed  the  almighty  Father  told  to 
Phcebus,  and  Phoebus  told  to  me.     Ye  journey 


38  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

to  Italy,  and  to  Italy  shall  ye  come.  Only  ye 
shall  not  build  a  city,  and  wall  it  about  with 
walls,  till  dreadful  hunger  shall  cause  you  to 
eat  the  very  tables  whereon  ye  sup." 

So  saying,  she  departed.  But  when  great 
fear  was  fallen  upon  all,  Anchises  lifted  up  his 
hands  to  heaven  and  prayed  to  the  Gods  that 
they  would  keep  that  evil  from  them. 


CHAPTER  V. 

KING    HELENUS THE  CYCLOPS. 

Then  they  set  sail,  and,  the  south  wind  blowing, 
passed  by  Zacynthus  and  Dulichium,  and  also 
Ithaca,  which  they  cursed  as  they  passed,  be- 
cause it  was  the  land  of  the  hateful  Ulysses, 
and  so  came  to  Actium,  where  they  landed. 
There  also  they  did  sacrifice  to  the  Gods,  and 
had  games  of  wrestling  and  others,  rejoicing 
that  they  had  passed  safely  through  so  many 
cities  of  their  enemies.  And  there  they  wintered, 
and  iEneas  fixed  on  the  doors  of  the  temple  of 
Apollo  a  shield  of  bronze  which  he  had  won  in 
battle  from  the  valiant  Abas,  writing  thereon 
these  words,  "^Eneas  dedicates   these  arms 

WON  FROM  THE  VICTORIOUS  GREEKS." 

But  when  the  spring  was  come  they  set  sail, 
and,  leaving  behind  them  the  land  of  Phaeacia, 
came  to  Buthrotum  that  is  in  Epirus.  There 
indeed  they  heard  a  marvellous  thing,  even  that 

39 


40  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

Helenus,  the  son  of  Priam,  was  king  in  these 
parts,  in  the  room  of  Pyrrhus,  the  son  of 
Achilles,  having  also  to  wife  Andromache,  who 
was  the  widow  of  Hector.  And  when  iEneas, 
wishing  to  know  whether  these  things  were  so, 
journeyed  towards  the  city,  lo  !  in  a  grove  hard 
by,  by  a  river  which  also  was  called  Simois, 
there  stood  this  same  Andromache,  and  made 
offerings  to  the  spirit  of  Hector  not  without 
many  tears.  And  at  the  first  when  she  saw 
iEneas,  and  that  he  wore  such  arms  as  the  men 
of  Troy  were  used  to  wear,  she  swooned  with 
fear,  but  after  a  while  spake  thus :  "  Is  this 
indeed  a  real  thing  that  I  see  ?  Art  thou 
alive  ?  or,  if  thou  art  dead,  tell  me,  where  is 
my  Hector  ?"  So  she  cried  and  wept  aloud. 
And  iEneas  answered  her :  "  Yes,  lady,  this  is 
flesh  and  blood,  and  not  a  spirit,  that  thou  seest. 
But  as  for  thee,  what  fortune  has  befallen  thee  ? 
Art  thou  still  wedded  to  Pyrrhus  ?  " 

And  she,  casting  down  her  eyes,  made  answer, 
"  O  daughter  of  Priam,  happy  beyond  thy  sisters 
in  that  thou  wast  slain  at  the  tomb  of  Achilles, 
nor  wast  taken  to  be  a  prey  of  the  conqueror ! 
But  as  for  me  I  was  borne  across  the  sea,  to  be 


KING  HELENUS—THE  CYCLOPS.  41 

slave  of  the  haughty  son  of  Achilles.  And 
when  he  took  to  wife  Hermione,  who  was  the 
daughter  of  Helen,  he  gave  me  to  Helenus, 
as  a  slave  is  given  to  a  slave.  But  Pyrrhus, 
after  awhile,  Orestes  slew,  taking  him  unawares, 
even  by  the  altar  of  his  father.  And  when  he 
was  dead,  part  of  his  kingdom  came  to  Helenus, 
who  hath  called  the  land  Chaonia,  after  Chaon  of 
Troy,  and  hath  also  builded  a  citadel,  a  new 
Pergama,  upon  the  hills.  But  tell  me,  was  it 
some  storm  that  drove  thee  hither,  or  chance,  or, 
lastly,  some  sending  of  the  Gods  ?  And  is  As- 
canius  yet  alive — the  boy  whom  I  remember  ? 
Doth  he  yet  think  of  his  mother  that  is  dead  ? 
And  is  he  stout  and  of  a  good  courage,  as  befits 
the  son  of  /Eneas  and  sister's  son  to  Hector  ?  " 

And  while  she  spake  there  came  Helenus 
from  the  city  with  a  great  company,  and  bade 
welcome  to  his  friends  with  much  joy.  And 
iEneas  saw  how  that  all  things  were  ordered 
and  named  even  as  they  had  been  at  Troy, 
only  the  things  at  Troy  had  been  great,  and 
these  were  very  small.  And  afterwards  King 
Helenus  made  a  feast  to  them  in  his  house, 
and  they  drank  together  and  were  merry. 


42  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

But  after  certain  days  were  passed,  ^Eneas, 
seeing  that  the  wind  favoured  them,  spake  to 
Helenus,  knowing  him  also  to  be  a  prophet  of 
the  Gods :  "  Tell  me  now,  seeing  that  thou  art 
wise  in  all  manner  of  divination  and  prophecy, 
how  it  will  fare  with  us.  For  indeed  all  things 
have  seemed  to  favour  us,  and  we  go  not  on 
this  journey  against  the  will  of  the  Gods,  yet  did 
the  Harpy  Celseno  prophesy  evil  things,  that  we 
should  endure  great  extremity  of  hunger. 
Say,  then,  of  what  things  I  should  most  beware, 
and  how  I  shall  best  prosper." 

Then  Helenus,  after  due  sacrifice,  led  iEneas 
to  the  temple  of  Phoebus.  And  when  they  were 
come  thither,  and  the  god  had  breathed  into  the 
seer,  even  into  Helenus,  the  spirit  of  prophecy, 
he  spake,  saying,  "  Son  of  Venus,  that  thou 
takest  thy  journey  across  the  sea  with  favour 
of  the  Gods,  is  manifest.  Hearken,  therefore, 
and  I  will  inform  thee  of  certain  things,  though 
indeed  they  be  few  out  of  many,  by  which  thou 
mayest  more  safely  cross  unknown  seas  and  get 
thee  to  thy  haven  in  Italy.  Much  indeed  the 
Fates  suffer  me  not  to  know,  and  much  Juno 
forbids  me  to  speak.     Know  then,  first  of  all, 


KING  HELEN  US— THE  CYCLOPS.  43 

that  Italy,  which  thou  ignorantly  thinkestto  be 
close  at  hand,  is  yet  far  away  across  many  seas. 
And  let  this  be  a  sign  to  thee  that  thou  art 
indeed  come  to  the  place  where  thou  wouldst 
be.  When  thou  shalt  see  a  white  sow  and 
thirty  pigs  at  her  teats,  then  hast  thou  found 
the  place  of  thy  city  that  shall  be.  And  as  to 
the  devouring  of  thy  tables  for  famine,  heed  it 
not :  Apollo  will  help  thee  at  need.  But  seek 
not  to  find  a  dwelling-place  on  this  shore  of 
Italy  which  is  near  at  hand,  seeing  that  it  is 
inhabited  by  the  accursed  sons  of  Greece. 
And  when  thou  hast  passed  it  by,  and  art  come 
to  the  land  of  Sicily,  and  shall  see  the  strait  of 
Pelorus  open  before  thee,  do  thou  keep  to  thy 
left  hand  and  avoid  the  way  that  is  on  thy 
right.  For  here  in  days  past  was  the  land  rent 
asunder,  so  that  the  waters  of  the  sea  flow 
between  cities  and  fields  that  of  old  time  were 
joined  together.  And  on  the  right  hand  is 
Scylla,  and  on  the  left  Chary bdis  the  whirlpool. 
But  Scylla  dwelleth  in  her  cave,  a  monster 
dreadful  to  behold  ;  for  to  the  middle  she  is  a  fair 
woman,  but  a  beast  of  the  sea  below,  even  the 
belly  of  a  dolphin,  with   heads  as  of  a  wolf 


44  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

Wherefore  it  will  be  better  for  thee  to  fetch  a 
compass  round  the  whole  land  of  Sicily  than  to 
come  nigh  these  things,  or  to  see  them  with 
thine  eyes.  Do  thou  also  remember  this,  at  all 
places  and  times,  before  all  other  Gods  to  wor- 
ship Juno,  that  thou  mayest  persuade  her,  and 
so  make  thy  way  safely  to  Italy.  And  when 
thou  art  come  thither,  seek  the  Sibyl  that 
dwelleth  at  Cumae,  the  mad  prophetess  that 
writeth  the  sayings  of  Fate  upon  the  leaves  of 
a  tree.  For  these  indeed  at  the  first  abide  in 
their  places,  but,  the  gate  being  opened,  the 
wind  blows  them  hither  and  thither.  And 
when  they  are  scattered  she  careth  not  to  join 
them  again,  so  that  they  who  would  inquire 
of  her  depart  without  an  answer.  Refuse  not 
to  tarry  awhile,  that  thou  mayest  take  counsel 
of  her,  though  all  things  seem  to  prosper  thy 
journey  and  thy  comrades  chide  thy  delay. 
For  she  shall  tell  thee  all  that  shall  befall  thee 
in  Italy — what  wars  thou  shalt  wage,  and 
what  perils  thou  must  endure,  and  what  avoid. 
So  much,  and  no  more,  is  it  lawful  for  me 
to  utter.  Do  thou  depart,  and  magnify  our 
country  of  Troy  even  to  the  heaven." 


KING  HELEN  US— THE  CYCLOPS.  4$ 

And  when  the  seer  had  ended  these  sayings 
he  commanded  his  people  that  they  should 
carry  to  the  ships  gifts :  gold,  and  carvings  of 
ivory,  and  much  silver,  and  caldrons  that  had 
been  wrought  at  Dodona  ;  also  a  coat  of  chain 
mail,  and  a  helmet  with  a  fair  plume,  which 
Pyrrhus  had  worn.  Also  he  gave  gifts  to  the 
old  man  Anchises.  Horses,  too,  he  gave,  and 
guides  for  the  journey,  and  tackling  for  the 
ships,  and  arms  for  the  whole  company.  Then 
did  he  bid  farewell  to  the  old  Anchises.  An- 
dromache also  came,  bringing  broidered  robes, 
and  for  Ascanius  a  Phrygian  cloak,  and  many 
like  things,  which  she  gave  him,  saying,  "  Take 
these  works  of  my  hands,  that  they  may  wit- 
ness to  thee  of  the  abiding  love  of  her  that  was 
once  Hector's  wife.  For  in  truth  thou  art  the 
very  image  of  my  Astyanax  ;  so  like  are  thy 
eyes  and  face  and  hands.  And  indeed  he 
would  now  be  of  an  age  with  thee."  Then 
iEneas  also  said  farewell,  weeping  the  while. 
"  Be  ye  happy,  whose  wanderings  are  over  and 
rest  already  won  ;  ye  have  no  seas  to  cross, 
nor  fields  of  Italy,  still  flying  as  we  advance,  to 
seek.     Rather   ye    have  the  likeness  of  Troy 


4-6  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

before  your  eyes.  And  be  sure  that  if  ever  I 
come  to  this  land  of  Italy  which  I  seek,  there 
shall  be  friendship  between  you  and  me,  and 
between  your  children  and  my  children,  for 
ever." 

Then  they  set  sail,  and  at  eventide  drew  their 
ships  to  the  land  and  slept  on  the  beach.  But 
at  midnight  Palinurus,  the  pilot,  rising  from 
his  bed,  took  note  of  the  winds  and  of  the  stars, 
even  of  Arcturus,  and  the  Greater  Bear  and  the 
Less,  and  Orion  with  his  belt  of  gold.  Seeing 
therefore  that  all  things  boded  fair  weather  to 
come,  he  blew  loud  the  signal  that  they  should 
depart ;  which  they  did  forthwith.  And  when 
the  morning  was  now  growing  red  in  the  east, 
behold  a  land  with  hills  dimly  seen  and  shores 
lying  low  in  the  sea.  And,  first  of  all,  the  old 
man  Anchises  cried,  "  Lo  !  there  is  Italy,"  and 
after  him  all  the  company.  Then  took  Anchises 
a  mighty  cup,  and  filled  it  with  wine,  and,  stand- 
ing on  the  stern,  said,  "  Gods  of  sea  and  land, 
and  ye  that  have  power  of  the  air,  give  us  an 
easy  journey,  and  send  such  winds  as  may 
favour  us."  And  even  as  he  spake  the  wind 
blew  more  strongly  behind.     Also  the  harbour 


KING  HELENUS—THE   CYCLOPS.  47 

mouth  grew  wider  to  behold,  and  on  the  hills 
was  seen  a  temple  of  Minerva.  And  lo  !  upon 
the  shore  four  horses  white  as  snow,  which  the 
old  man  seeing,  said,  "  Thou  speakest  of  war, 
land  of  the  stranger ;  for  the  horse  signifieth 
war,  yet  doth  he  also  use  himself  to  run  in  the 
chariot,  and  to  bear  the  bit  in  company  ;  there- 
fore also  will  we  hope  for  peace."  Then  did  they 
sacrifice  to  Minerva,  and  to  Juno  also,  which 
rites  the  seer  Helenus  had  chiefly  commanded. 
And  this  being  done  they  trimmed  their  sails 
and  departed  from  the  shore,  fearing  lest  some 
enemy,  the  Greeks  being  in  that  place,  should 
set  upon  them.  So  did  they  pass  by  Tarentum, 
which  Hercules  builded,  also  the  hills  of 
Caulon,  and  Scylacium,  where  many  ships  are 
broken.  And  from  Scylacium  they  beheld 
iEtna,  and  heard  a  great  roaring  of  the  sea,  and 
saw  also  the  waves  rising  up  to  heaven.  Then 
said  Anchises,  "  Lo !  this  is  that  Charybdis 
whereof  the  seer  Helenus  spake  to  us.  Ply 
your  oars,  my  comrades,  and  let  us  fly  there- 
from." So  they  strove  amain  in  rowing,  and 
Palinurus  also  steered  to  the  left,  all  the  other 
ships  following  him.  And  many  times  the  waves 


48  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

lifted  them  to  the  heaven,  and  many  times 
caused  them  to  go  down  to  the  deep.  But  at 
the  last,  at  setting  of  the  sun,  they  came  to 
the  land  of  the  Cyclops. 

There,  indeed,  they  lay  in  a  harbour,  well 
sheltered  from  all  winds  that  blow,  but  all  the 
night  yEtna  thundered  dreadfully,  sending  forth 
a  cloud  with  smoke  of  pitch,  and  ashes  fiery  hot, 
and  also  balls  of  fire,  and  rocks  withal  that  had 
been  melted  with  heat.  For  indeed  men  say  that 
the  giant  Enceladus  lieth  under  this  mountain, 
being  scorched  with  the  lightning  of  Jupiter,  and 
that  from  him  cometh  forth  this  flame  ;  also 
that  when,  being  weary,  he  turned  from  one  side 
to  the  other,  the  whole  land  of  the  Three  Capes 
is  shaken.  All  that  night  they  lay  in  much  fear, 
nor  knew  what  the  cause  of  this  uproar  might 
be,  for  indeed  the  sky  was  cloudy,  nor  could  the 
moon  be  seen. 

And  when  it  was  morning,  lo  !  there  came  forth 
from  the  woods  a  stranger,  very  miserable  to  be- 
hold, in  filthy  garments  fastened  with  thorns,  and 
with  beard  unshaven,  who  stretched  out  to  them 
his  hands  as  one  who  prayed.  And  the  men  of 
Troy  knew  him  to  be  a  Greek.     But  he,  seeing 


KING  HELEN  US— THE  CYCLOPS.  49 

them,  and  knowing  of  what  country  they  were, 
stood  awhile  in  great  fear,  but  afterwards  ran 
very  swiftly  towards  them,  and  used  to  them 
many  prayers,  weeping  also  the  while.  "  I 
pray  you,  men  of  Troy,  by  the  stars  and  by  the 
Gods,  and  by  this  air  which  we  breathe,  to  take 
me  away  from  this  land,  whithersoever  ye  will. 
And  indeed  I  ask  not  whither.  That  I  am  a 
Greek,  I  confess,  and  also  that  I  bare  arms 
against  Troy.  Wherefore  drown  me,  if  ye  will, 
in  the  sea.  Only  let  me  die,  if  die  I  must,  by 
the  hands  of  men." 

And  he  clung  to  their  knees.  Then  .'Eneas 
bade  him  tell  who  he  was,  and  how  he  came  to 
be  in  this  plight.  And  the  man  made  answer, 
"  I  am  a  man  of  Ithaca,  and  a  comrade  of  the 
unhappy  Ulysses.  My  name  is  Achsemenides, 
and  my  father  was  Adamastus.  And  when  my 
comrades  fled  from  this  accursed  shore  they 
left  me  in  the  Cyclops'  cave.  Hideous  is  he  to 
see,  and  savage,  and  of  exceeding  great  stature, 
and  he  feeds  on  the  flesh  of  men.  I  myself  saw 
with  these  eyes  how  he  lay  and  caught  two  of 
my  companions  and  bake  them  on  the  stone ; 
aye,  and  I  saw  their  limbs  quiver  between  his 

5 


So  STORIES  FROM    VIRGIL. 

teeth.  Yet  did  he  not  do  such  things  un- 
punished, for  Ulysses  endured  not  to  behold 
these  deeds,  and  when  the  giant  lay  asleep, 
being  overcome  with  wine,  we,  after  prayer  made 
to  the  Gods  and  lots  cast  what  each  should  do, 
bored  out  his  eye,  for  one  eye  he  had,  huge  as 
a  round  shield  of  Argos,  or  as  the  circle  of  the 
sun,  and  so  did  we  avenge  our  comrades'  death. 
Do  ye  then  fly  with  all  the  speed  ye  may.  For 
know  that  as  this  shepherd  Polyphemus — a 
shepherd  he  is  by  trade — so  are  a  hundred 
other  Cyclopes,  huge  and  savage  as  he,  who 
dwell  on  these  shores  and  wander  over  the 
hills.  And  now  for  three  months  have  I  dwelt 
in  these  woods,  eating  berries  and  cornels  and 
herbs  of  the  field.  And  when  I  saw  your  ships 
I  hastened  to  meet  them.  Do  ye  with  me, 
therefore,  as  ye  will,  so  that  I  flee  from  this 
accursed  race." 

And  even  while  he  spake  the  men  of  Troy  saw 
the  shepherd  Polyphemus  among  his  flocks,  and 
that  he  made  as  if  he  would  come  to  the  shore. 
Horrible  to  behold  was  he,  huge  and  shapeless 
and  blind.  And  when  he  came  to  the  sea  he 
washed  the  blood  from  the  wound,  grinding  his 


KING  HELENUS—THE  CYCLOPS.  51 

teeth  the  while,  and  though  he  went  far  into 
the  sea,  yet  did  not  the  waves  touch  his  middle. 
And  the  men  of  Troy,  having  taken  the  sup- 
pliant on  board,  fled  with  all  their  might ;  and 
he  hearing  their  rowing  would  have  reached  to 
them,  but  could  not.  Therefore  did  he  shout 
aloud,  and  the  Cyclopes  hearing  him  hasted  to 
the  shore.  Then  did  the  men  of  Troy  behold 
them,  a  horrid  company,  tall  as  a  grove  of  oaks 
or  cypresses.  Nor  knew  they  in  their  fear 
what  they  should  do,  seeing  that  on  the  one 
hand  was  the  land  of  the  Cyclopes,  and  on  the 
other  Scylla  and  Charybdis,  of  which  the  seer 
Helenus  had  bidden  them  beware.  But  while 
they  doubted,  there  blew  a  north  wind  from 
Pelorus,  wherewith  they  sailed  onwards,  and 
Achaemenides  with  them.  So  they  came  to 
Ortygia,  whither,  as  men  say,  the  river  Alpheiis 
floweth  under  the  sea  from  the  land  of  Pelops, 
and  so  mingleth  with  Arethusa  ;  and  afterwards 
they  passed  the  promontory  of  Pachynus,  Ca- 
marina  also,  and  Gela,  and  other  cities  like- 
wise, till  they  came  to  Lilybreum,  and  so  at  last 
to  Drepanum.  There  the  old  man  Anchises  died, 
and  was  buried. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE      SHI  PWRECK. 

Not  many  days  after  JEneas  and  his  companions 
set  sail.  But  scarce  were  they  out  of  sight  of 
the  land  of  Sicily  when  Juno  espied  them. 
Very  wroth  was  she  that  they  should  be  now 
drawing  near  to  the  end  of  their  journey,  and 
she  said  to  herself, "  Shall  I  be  baulked  of  my 
purpose,  nor  be  able  to  keep  these  men  of  Troy 
from  Italy  ?  Minerva,  indeed,  because  one  man 
sinned,  even  Ajax  Oi'leus,  burned  the  fleet  of 
the  Greeks,  and  drowned  the  men  in  the  sea. 
For  the  ships  she  smote  with  the  thunderbolts 
of  Jupiter  ;  and  as  for  Ajax  him  she  caught  up 
with  a  whirlwind,  and  dashed  him  upon  the 
rocks,  piercing  him  through.  Only  I,  though 
I  be  both  sister  and  wife  to  Jupiter,  avail 
nothing  against  this  people.  And  who  that 
heareth  this  in  after  time  shall  pay  me  due 
honour  and  sacrifice  ?  " 


THE  SHIPWRECK.  53 

Then  she  went,  thinking  these  things  in  her 
heart,  to  the  land  of  /Eolia,  where  King 
y£olus  keepeth  the  winds  under  bolt  and  bar. 
Mightily  do  they  roar  within  the  mountain,  but 
their  king  restraineth  them  and  keepeth  them 
in  bounds,  being  indeed  set  to  do  this  very  thing, 
lest  they  should  carry  both  the  heavens  and  the 
•earth  before  them  in  their  great  fury.  To  him 
said  Juno,  "  O  YEolus,  whom  Jupiter  hath  made 
king  of  the  winds,  a  nation  which  I  hate  is  sail- 
ing over  the  Tuscan  sea.  Loose  now  thy  storms 
against  them,  and  drown  their  ships  in  the  sea. 
And  hearken  what  I  will  do  for  thee.  Twelve 
maidens  I  have  that  wait  on  me  continually, 
who  are  passing  fair,  and  the  fairest  of  all,  even 
Dei'opea,  I  will  give  thee  to  wife." 

To  whom  answered  King  ^Eolus,  "  It  is  for 
thee,  O  Queen,  to  order  what  thou  wilt,  it  being 
of  thy  gift  that  I  hold  this  sovereignty  and  eat 
at  the  table  of  the  Gods." 

So  saying  he  drave  in  with  his  spear  the 
folding-doors  of  the  prison  of  the  winds,  and 
these  straightway  in  a  great  host  rushed  forth, 
-even  all  the  winds  together,  and  rolled  great 
waves  upon  the  shore.     And  straightway  there 


54  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

arose  a  great  shouting  of  men  and  straining  of 
cables  ;  nor  could  the  sky  nor  the  light  of  the 
day  be  seen  any  more,  but  a  darkness  as  of  night 
came  down  upon  the  sea,  and  there  were  thun- 
ders and  lightnings  over  the  whole  heavens. 

Then  did  iEneas  grow  cold  with  fear,  and 
stretching  out  his  hands  to  heaven  he  cried, 
"  Happy  they  who  fell  under  the  walls  of  Troy, 
before  their  fathers'  eyes  !  Would  to  the  Gods 
that  thou  hadst  slain  me,  Diomed,  bravest  of 
the  Greeks,  even  as  Hector  fell  by  the  spear 
of  Achilles,  or  tall  Sarpedon,  or  all  the  brave 
warriors  whose  dead  bodies  Simoi's  rolled 
down  to  the  sea  ! " 

But  as  he  spake  a  blast  of  wind  struck  his 
sails  from  before,  and  his  ship  was  turned  broad- 
side to  the  waves.  Three  others  also  were 
tossed  upon  the  rocks  which  men  call  the 
"  Altars,  "  and  three  into  the  quicksands  of  the 
Syrtis.  And  another,  in  which  sailed  the  men 
of  Lycia,  with  Orontes,  their  chief,  was  struck 
upon  the  stern  by  a  great  sea  and  sunk.  And 
when  ^Eneas  looked,  lo  !  there  were  some  swim- 
ming in  the  waves,  and  broken  planks  also,  and 
arms  and  treasures  of  Troy.     Others  also  were 


THE  SHIPWRECK.  55. 

shattered  by  the  waves,  as  those  of  Ilioneiis  and 
Achates,  and  of  Abas  and  the  old  man  Alethes. 

But  King  Neptune  was  aware  of  the  tumult 
where  he  sat  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  and  rais- 
ing his  head  above  the  waves,  looked  forth  and 
saw  how  the  ships  were  scattered  abroad  and 
the  men  of  Troy  were  in  sore  peril.  Also  he 
knew  his  sister's  wrath  and  her  craft.  Then  he 
called  to  him  the  winds  and  said,"  What  is  this 
ye  winds,  that  ye  trouble  heaven  and  earth  with- 
out leave  of  me  ?  Now  will  I — but  I  must  first 
bid  the  waves  be  still,  only  be  sure  that  ye  shall 
not  thus  escape  hereafter.  Begone,  and  tell  your 
king  that  the  dominion  over  the  sea  belongeth 
unto  me,  and  bid  him  keep  him  to  his  rocks." 

Then  he  bade  the  waves  be  still ;  also  he 
scattered  the  clouds  and  brought  back  the  sun. 
And  Cymothea  and  Triton,  gods  of  the  sea,  drew 
the  ships  from  the  rocks,  Neptune  also  lifting 
them  with  his  trident.  Likewise  he  opened  the 
quicksands,  and  delivered  the  ships  that  were 
therein.  And  this  being  done  he  crossed  the 
sea  in  his  chariot,  and  the  waves  beholding  him 
sank  to  rest,  even  as  it  befalls  when  there  is 
sedition  in  the  city,  and  the  people  are  wroth. 


56  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

and  men  throw  stones  and  firebrands,  till  lo ! 
of  a  sudden  there  cometh  forth  a  reverend  sire,  a 
good  man  and  true,  and  all  men  are  silent  and 
hearken  to  him,  and  the  uproar  is  stayed.  So 
was  the  sea  stilled,  beholding  its  king. 

Then  iEneas  and  his  companions,  being  sore 
wearied  with  the  storm,  made  for  the  nearest 
shore,  even  Africa,  where  they  found  a  haven 
running  far  into  the  land,  into  which  the  waves 
come  not  till  their  force  be  spent.  On  either 
side  thereof  are  cliffs  very  high,  and  shining 
woods  over  them.  Also  at  the  harbour's  head 
is  a  cave  and  a  spring  of  sweet  water  within,  a 
dwelling-place  of  the  Nymphs.  Hither  came 
iEneas,  with  seven  ships.  Right  glad  were  the 
men  of  Troy  to  stand  upon  the  dry  land  again. 
Then  Achates  struck  a  spark  out  of  flint,  and 
they  lighted  a  fire  with  leaves  and  the  like ; 
also  they  took  of  the  wheat  which  had  been  in 
the  ships,  and  made  ready  to  parch  and  to  bruise 
it,  that  they  might  eat.  Meanwhile  iEneas 
had  climbed  the  cliff,  if  haply  he  might  see 
some  of  his  companions'  ships.  These  indeed 
he  saw  not,  but  he  espied  three  great  stags 
upon    the    shore  and  a  herd  following   them. 


THE  SHIPWRECK.  57 


Wherefore,  taking  the  arrows  and  the  bow 
which  Achates  bare  with  him,  he  let  fly,  slaying 
the  leaders  and  others  also,  till  he  had  gotten 
seven,  one  for  each  ship.  Then  made  he  his 
way  to  the  landing-place,  and  divided  the  prey. 
Also  he  made  distribution  of  the  wine  which 
Acestes,  their  host  in  Sicily,  had  given  them  as 
they  were  about  to  depart,  and  spake  comfort- 
able words  to  them,  saying,  "  O  my  friends, 
be  ye  sure  that  there  will  be  an  end  to  these 
troubles  ;  and  indeed  ye  have  suffered  worse 
things  before.  Be  ye  of  good  cheer  therefore. 
Haply  ye  shall  one  day  have  pleasure  in  think- 
ing of  these  things.  For  be  sure  that  the  Gods 
have  prepared  a  dwelling-place  for  us  in  Italy, 
where  we  shall  build  a  new  Troy,  in  great  peace 
and  happiness.  Wherefore  endure  unto  the 
day  of  prosperity." 

Then  they  made  ready  the  feast,  and  roasted 
of  the  meat  upon  spits,  and  boiled  other  in 
water.  Also  they  drank  of  the  wine  and  were 
comforted.  And  after  supper  they  talked  much 
of  them  that  were  absent,  doubting  whether 
they  were  alive  or  dead. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

CARTHAGE. 

All  these  things  did  Jupiter  behold  ;  and  even 
as  he  beheld  them  there  came  to  him  Venus, 
having  a  sad  countenance  and  her  shining  eyes 
dim  with  tears,  and  spake :  "  O  great  Father,  that 
rulest  all  things,  what  have  /Eneas  and  the  men 
of  Troy  sinned  against  thee,  that  the  whole  world 
is  shut  against  them  ?  Didst  not  thou  promise 
that  they  should  rule  over  land  and  sea  ?  Why, 
then,  art  thou  turned  back  from  thy  purpose  ? 
With  this  I  was  wont  to  comfort  myself  for  the 
evil  fate  of  Troy,  but  lo !  this  same  fate  follows 
them  still,  nor  is  there  any  end  to  their  troubles. 
And  yet  it  was  granted  to  Antenor,  himself 
also  a  man  of  Troy,  that  he  should  escape  from 
the  Greeks,  and  coming  to  the  Liburnian  land, 
where  Timavus  flows  with  much  noise  into  the 
sea,  build  a  city  and  find  rest  for  himself.  But 
we,  who  are  thy  childen,  are  kept  far  from  the 
land  which  thou  hast  sworn  to  give  us." 


CARTHAGE.  59 


Then  her  father  kissed  her  once  and  again, 
and  answered  smiling,  "  Fear  not,  my  daughter, 
the  fate  of  thy  children  changeth  not.  Thou 
shalt  see  this  city  for  which  thou  lookest,  and 
shalt  receive  thy  son,  the  great-hearted  /Eneas, 
into  the  heavens.  Hearken,  therefore,  and  I  will 
tell  thee  things  to  come.  /Eneas  shall  war  with 
the  nations  of  Italy,  and  shall  subdue  them,  and 
build  a  city,  and  rule  therein  for  three  years. 
And  after  the  space  of  thirty  years  shall  the  boy 
Ascanius,  who  shall  hereafter  be  called  Itilus 
also,  change  the  place  of  his  throne  from  La- 
vinium  unto  Alba  ;  and  for  three  hundred  years 
shall  there  be  kings  in  Alba  of  the  kindred  of 
Hector.  Then  shall  a  priestess  bear  to  Mars 
twin  sons,  whom  a  she-wolf  shall  suckle ;  of 
whom  the  one,  even  Romulus,  shall  build  a 
city,  dedicating  it  to  Mars,  and  call  it  Rome, 
after  his  own  name.  To  which  city  have  I 
given  empire  without  bound  or  end.  And 
Juno  also  shall  repent  her  of  her  wrath,  and 
join  counsel  with  me,  cherishing  the  men  of 
Rome,  so  that  they  shall  bear  rule  even  over 
Argos  and  Mycenae." 

And  when  he  had  said  this,  he  sent  down  his 


60  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

messenger,  even  Mercury,  to  turn  the  heart  of 
Dido  and  her  people,  where  they  dwelt  in  the 
city  of  Carthage,  which  they  had  builded,  so 
that  they  should  deal  kindly  with  the  strangers. 

Now  it  came  to  pass  on  the  next  day  that 
^Eneas,  having  first  hidden  his  ships  in  a  bay 
that  was  well  covered  with  trees,  went  forth  to 
spy  out  the  new  land  whither  he  was  come,  and 
Achates  only  went  with  him.  And  /Eneas  had 
in  each  hand  a  broad-pointed  spear.  And  as  he 
went  there  met  him  in  the  middle  of  the  wood 
his  mother,  but  habited  as  a  Spartan  virgin,  for 
she  had  hung  a  bow  from  her  shoulders  after  the 
fashion  of  a  huntress,  and  her  hair  was  loose,  and 
her  tunic  short  to  the  knees,  and  her  garments 
gathered  in  a  knot  upon  her  breast.  Then  first 
the  false  huntress  spake,  "  If  perchance  ye  have 
seen  one  of  my  sisters  wandering  hereabouts, 
make  known  to  me  the  place.  She  is  girded 
with  a  quiver,  and  is  clothed  with  the  skin  of  a 
spotted  lynx,  or,  may  be,  she  hunts  a  wild  boar 
with  horn  and  hound." 

To  whom  iEneas, "  I  have  not  seen  nor  heard 
sister  of  thine,  O  virgin — for  what  shall  I  call 
thee  ?   for,    of    a   surety,  neither  is   thy    look 


CARTHAGE.  61 


as  of  a  mortal  woman,  nor  yet  thy  voice.  A 
goddess  certainly  thou  art,  sister  of  Phoebus, 
or,  haply,  one  of  the  nymphs.  But  whosoever 
thou  art,  look  favourably  upon  us  and  help  us. 
Tell  us  in  what  land  we  be,  for  the  winds  have 
driven  us  hither,  and  we  know  not  aught  of 
place  or  people." 

And  Venus  said,  "  Nay,  stranger  I  am  not 
such  as  ye  think.  We  virgins  of  Tyre  are  wont 
to  carry  a  quiver  and  to  wear  a  buskin  of  purple. 
For  indeed  it  is  a  Tyrian  city  that  is  hard  by, 
though  the  land  be  Lybia.  And  of  this  city 
Dido  is  queen,  having  come  hither  from  Tyre, 
flying  from  the  wrong-doing  of  her  brother. 
And  indeed  the  story  of  the  thing  is  long, 
but  I  will  recount  the  chief  matter  thereof 
to  thee.  The  husband  of  this  Dido  was  one 
Sichasus,  richest  among  all  the  men  of  Phoe- 
nicia, and  greatly  beloved  of  his  wife,  whom  he 
married  from  a  virgin.  Now  the  brother  of  this 
Sichseus  was  Pygmalion,  the  kin^  of  the  coun- 
try,  and  he  exceeded  all  men  in  wickedness. 
And  when  there  arose  a  quarrel  between  them, 
the  king,  being  exceedingly  mad  after  gold,  took 
him  unaware,  even  as  he  did  sacrifice  at  the  altar, 


62  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

and  slew  him.  And  the  king  hid  the  matter 
many  days  from  Dido,  and  cheated  her  with 
false  hopes.  But  at  the  last  there  came  to  her 
in  her  dreams  the  likeness  of  the  dead  man, 
baring  his  wounds  and  showing  the  wickedness 
which  had  been  done.  Also  he  bade  her  make 
haste  and  fly  from  that  land,  and,  that  she  might 
do  this  the  more  easily,  told  her  of  great  treasure, 
gold  and  silver,  that  was  hidden  in  the  earth. 
And  Dido,  being  much  moved  by  these  things, 
made  ready  for  flight ;  also  she  sought  for  com- 
panions, and  there  came  together  to  her  all  as 
many  as  hated  the  king  or  feared  him.  Then 
did  they  seize  ships  that  chanced  to  be  ready  and 
laded  them  with  gold,  even  the  treasure  of  King 
Pygmalion,  and  so  fled  across  the  sea.  And  in 
all  this  was  a  woman  the  leader.  Then  came 
they  to  this  place,  where  thou  seest  the  walls 
and  citadel  of  Carthage,  and  bought  so  much 
land  as  they  could  cover  with  a  bull's  hide.  And 
now  do  ye  answer  me  this,  Whence  come  ye; 
and  whither  do  ye  go?" 

Then  answered  iEneas,  "  Should  I  tell  the 
whole  story  of  our  wanderings,  and  thou  have 
leisure  to  hear,  evening  would  come  ere  I  could 


CARTHAGE.  63 


make  an  end.  We  are  men  of  Troy,  who,  hav- 
ing journeyed  over  many  seas,  have  now  been 
driven  by  storms  to  this  shore  of  Lybia.  And 
as  for  me,  men  call  me  Prince  iEneas.  The 
land  I  seek  is  Italy,  and  my  race  is  from  Jupiter 
himself.  With  twenty  ships  did  I  set  sail,  going 
in  the  way  whereon  the  Gods  sent  me.  And  of 
these  scarce  seven  are  left.  And  now,  seeing 
that  Europe  and  Asia  endure  me  not,  I  wander 
over  the  desert  places  of  Africa." 

But  Venus  suffered  him  not  to  speak  more, 
but  said, "  Whoever  thou  art,  stranger,  that  art 
come  to  this  Tyrian  city,  thou  art  surely  beloved 
by  the  Gods.  And  now  go,  show  thyself  to 
the  queen.  And  as  for  thy  ships  and  thy  com- 
panions, I  tell  thee  that  they  are  safe  in  the  haven, 
if  I  have  not  learnt  augury  in  vain.  See  those 
twenty  swans,  how  joyously  they  fly !  And  now 
there  cometh  an  eagle  swooping  down  from 
the  sky,  putting  them  to  confusion,  but  now 
again  they  move  in  due  order,  and  some  are 
settling  on  the  earth  and  some  are  preparing  to 
settle.  Even  so  doth  it  fare  with  thy  ships,  for 
either  are  they  already  in  the  haven  or  enter 
thereinto  with  sails  full  set." 


64  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

And  as  she  spake  she  turned  away,  and  there 
shone  a  rosy  light  from  her  neck,  also  there 
came  from  her  hair  a  sweet  savour  as  of  am- 
brosia, and  her  garments  grew  under  her  feet ; 
and  iEneas  perceived  that  she  was  his  mother, 
and  cried  aloud, — 

"  O  my  mother,  why  dost  thou  mock  me  so 
often  with  false  shows,  nor  sufferest  me  to  join 
my  hand  unto  thy  hand,  and  to  speak  with  thee 
face  to  face  ?  " 

And  he  went  towards  the  walls  of  the  city 
But  Venus  covered  him  and  his  companions 
with  a  mist,  that  no  man  might  see  them,  or 
hinder  them,  or  inquire  of  their  business,  and 
then  departed  to  Paphos,  where  was  her  temple 
and  also  many  altars  of  incense.  Then  the  men 
hastened  on  their  way,  and  mounting  a  hill 
which  hung  over  the  city,  marvelled  to  behold 
it,  for  indeed  it  was  very  great  and  noble,  with 
mighty  gates  and  streets,  and  a  multitude  that 
walked  therein.  For  some  built  the  walls  and 
the  citadel,  rolling  great  stones  with  their  hands, 
and  others  marked  out  places  for  houses.  Also 
they  chose  those  that  should  give  judgment  and 
bear  rule  in  the  city.     Some,  too,  digged  out 


CARTHAGE.  65 


harbours,  and  others  laid  the  foundations  of  a 
theatre,  and  cut  out  great  pillars  of  stone.  Like 
to  bees  they  were,  when,  the  summer  being  newly 
come,  the  young  swarms  go  forth,  or  when  they 
labour  filling  the  cells  with  honey,  and  some 
receive  the  burdens  of  those  that  return  from  the 
fields,  and  others  keep  off  the  drones  from  the 
hive.  Even  so  laboured  the  men  of  Tyre.  And 
when  ^Eneas  beheld  them  he  cried,  "  Happy  ye, 
who  even  now  have  a  city  to  dwell  in  ! "  And 
being  yet  hidden  by  the  mist,  he  went  in  at 
the  gate  and  mingled  with  the  men,  being  seen 
of  none. 

Now  in  the  midst  of  the  city  was  a  wood,  very 
thick  with  trees,  and  here  the  men  of  Carthage, 
first  come  to  the  land  from  their  voyage,  had 
digged  out  of  the  ground  that  which  Juno  had 
said  should  be  a  sign  to  them,  even  a  horse's 
head  ;  for  that,  finding  this,  their  city  would  be 
mighty  in  war,  and  full  of  riches.  Here,  then, 
Dido  was  building  a  temple  to  Juno,  very  splen- 
did, with  threshold  of  bronze,  and  many  steps 
thereunto  ;  of  bronze  also  were  the  door-posts 
and  the  gates.  And  here  befell  a  thing  which 
gave  much  comfort  and  courage  to  yEneas ;  for 

6 


66  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

as  he  stood  and  regarded  the  place,  waiting  also 
for  the  queen,  he  saw  set  forth  in  order  upon 
the  walls  the  battles  that  had  been  fought  at 
Troy,  the  sons  of  Atreus  also,  and  King  Priam, 
and  fierce  Achilles.  Then  said  he,  not  without 
tears,"  Is  there  any  land,  O  Achates,  that  is  not 
filled  with  our  sorrows  ?  Seest  thou  Priam  ? 
Yet  withal  there  is  a  reward  for  virtue  here 
also,  and  tears  and  pity  for  the  troubles  of  men. 
Fear  not,  therefore.  Surely  the  fame  of  these 
things  shall  profit  us." 

Then  he  looked,  satisfying  his  soul  with  the 
paintings  on  the  walls.  For  there  was  the 
city  of  Troy.  In  this  part  of  the  field  the 
Greeks  fled  and  the  youth  of  Troy  pursued 
them,  and  in  that  the  men  of  Troy  fled,  and 
Achilles  followed  hard  upon  them  in  his  chariot. 
Also  he  saw  the  white  tents  of  Rhesus,  King  of 
Thrace,  whom  the  fierce  Diomed  slew  in  his 
sleep,  when  he  was  newly  come  to  Troy,  and 
drave  his  horses  to  the  camp  before  they  ate  of 
the  grass  of  the  fields  of  Troy  or  drank  the  waters 
of  Xanthus.  There  also  Troilus  was  pictured, 
ill-matched  in  battle  with  the  great  Achilles. 
His  horses  bare  him  along ;  but  he  lay  on  his 


CARTHAGE.  67 


back  in  the  chariot,  yet  holding  the  reins,  and 
his  neck  and  head  were  dragged  upon  the  earth, 
and  the  spear-point  made  a  trail  in  the  dust. 
And  in  another  place  the  women  of  Troy  went 
suppliant-wise  to  the  temple  of  M  inerva,  bearing 
a  great  and  beautiful  robe,  sad  and  beating  their 
breasts,  and  with  hair  unbound ;  but  the  goddess 
regarded  them  not.  Also  Achilles  dragged  the 
body  of  Hector  three  times  round  the  walls  of 
Troy,  and  was  selling  it  for  gold.  And  ^Eneas 
groaned  when  he  saw  the  man  whom  he  loved, 
and  the  old  man  Priam  reaching  out  helpless 
hands.  Also  he  knew  himself,  fighting  in  the 
midst  of  the  Grecian  chiefs ;  black  Memnon 
also  he  knew,  and  the  hosts  of  the  East ;  and 
Penthesilea  leading  the  army  of  the  Amazons 
with  shields  shaped  as  the  moon.  Fierce  she 
was  to  see,  with  one  breast  bared  for  battle,  and 
a  golden  girdle  beneath  it,  a  r'-'msel  daring  to 
fight  with  men. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

DIDO. 

But  while  iEneas  marvelled  to  see  these  things 
lo !  there  came,  with  a  great  throng  of  youths 
behind  her,  Dido,  most  beautiful  of  women,  fair 
as  Diana,  when,  on  the  banks  of  Eurotas  or  on 
the  hills  of  Cynthus,  she  leads  the  dance  with  a 
thousand  nymphs  of  the  mountains  about  her. 
On  her  shoulder  she  bears  a  quiver,  and  over- 
tops them  all,  and  her  mother,  even  Latona, 
silently  rejoices  to  behold  her.  So  fair  and 
seemly  to  see  was  Dido  as  she  bare  herself 
right  nobly  in  the  midst,  being  busy  in  the 
work  of  her  kingdom.  Then  she  sat  herself 
down  on  a  lofty  throne  in  the  gate  of  the  temple, 
with  many  armed  men  about  her.  And  she 
did  justice  between  man  and  man  ;  also  she 
divided  the  work  of  the  city,  sharing  it  equally 
or  parting  it  by  lot. 

Then    of  a    sudden    vEneas    heard    a    exeat 


DIDO.  69 

clamour,  and  saw  a  company  of  men  come 
quickly  to  the  place,  among  whom  were  Antheus 
and  Sergestus  and  Cloanthus,  and  others  of  the 
men  of  Troy  that  had  been  parted  from  him  in 
the  storm.  Right  glad  was  he  to  behold  them, 
yet  was  not  without  fear;  and  though  he  would 
fain  have  come  forth  and  caught  them  by  the 
hand,  yet  did  he  tarry,  waiting  to  hear  how  the 
men  had  fared,  where  they  had  left  their  ships, 
and  wherefore  they  were  come. 

Then  Ilioneus,  leave  being-  now  given  that  he 
should  speak,  thus  began  :  "  O  Queen,  whom 
Jupiter  permits  to  build  a  new  city  in  these 
lands,  we  men  of  Troy,  whom  the  winds  have 
carried  over  many  seas,  pray  thee  that  thou 
save  our  ships  from  fire,  and  spare  a  people  that 
serveth  the  Gods.  For,  indeed,  we  are  not 
come  to  waste  the  dwellings  of  this  land,  or  to 
carry  off  spoils  to  our  ships.  For,  of  a  truth, 
they  who  have  suffered  so  much  think  not  of 
such  deeds.  There  is  a  land  which  the  Greeks 
call  Hesperia,  but  the  people  themselves  Italy, 
after  the  name  of  their  chief;  an  ancient  land, 
mighty  in  arms  and  fertile  of  corn.  Hither 
were  we  journeying,  when  a  storm  arising  scat- 


70  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

tered  our  ships,  and  only  these  few  that  thou 
seest  escaped  to  the  land.  And  can  there  be 
nation  so  savage  that  it  receiveth  not  ship- 
wrecked men  on  its  shore,  but  beareth  arms 
against  them,  and  forbiddeth  them  to  land? 
Nay,  but  if  ye  care  not  for  men,  yet  regard  the 
Gods,  who  forget  neither  them  that  do  right- 
eously nor  them  that  transgress.  We  had  a 
king,  ^Eneas,  than  whom  there  lived  not  a  man 
more  dutiful  to  Gods  and  men,  and  greater  in 
war.  If  indeed  he  be  yet  alive,  then  we  fear 
not  at  all.  For  of  a  truth  it  will  not  repent 
thee  to  have  helped  us.  And  if  not,  other 
friends  have  we,  as  Acestes  of  Sicily.  Grant  us, 
therefore,  to  shelter  our  ships  from  the  wind ; 
also  to  fit  them  with  fresh  timber  from  the  woods, 
and  to  make  ready  oars  for  rowing,  so  that,  find- 
ing again  our  king  and  our  companions,  we  may 
gain  the  land  of  Italy.  But  if  he  be  dead,  and 
Ascanius  his  son  lost  also,  then  there  is  a  dwell- 
ing ready  for  us  in  the  land  of  Sicily,  with  Acestes, 
who  is  our  friend." 

Then  Dido,  her  eyes  bent  on  the  ground, 
thus  spake,  "  Fear  not,  men  of  Troy.  If  we 
have  seemed  to  deal  harshly  with  you,  pardon 


DIDO.  71 

us,  seeing  that,  being  newly  settled  in  this  land, 
we  must  keep  watch  and  ward  over  our  coasts. 
But  as  for  the  men  of  Troy,  and  their  deeds  in 
arms,  who  knows  them  not  ?  Think  not  that 
we  in  Carthage  are  so  dull  of  heart,  or  dwell  so 
remote  from  man,  that  we  are  ignorant  of  these 
things.  Whether,  therefore,  ye  will  journey  to 
Italy,  or  rather  return  to  Sicily  and  King  Acestes, 
know  that  I  will  give  you  all  help,  and  protect 
you  ;  or,  if  ye  will,  settle  in  this  land  of  ours. 
Yours  is  this  city  which  I  am  building.  I  will 
make  no  difference  between  man  of  Troy  and 
man  of  Tyre.  Would  that  your  king  also  were 
here !  Surely  I  will  send  those  that  shall  seek  him 
in  all  parts  of  Libya,  lest  haply  he  should  be  gone 
astray  in  any  forest  or  strange  city  of  the  land." 

And  when  ./Eneas  and  Achates  heard  these 
things  they  were  glad,  and  would  have  come 
forth  from  the  cloud,  and  Achates  said,  "  WThat 
thinkest  thou  ?  Lo,  thy  comrades  are  safe, 
saving  him  whom  we  saw  with  our  own  eyes 
drowned  in  the  waves  ;  and  all  other  things  are 
according  as  thy  mother  said." 

And  even  as  he  spake  the  cloud  parted  from 
about  them,  and  ..'Eneas  stood  forth,  very  bright 


72  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

to  behold,  with  face  and  breast  as  of  a  god, 
for  his  mother  had  given  to  him  hair  beautiful 
to  see,  and  cast  about  him  the  purple  light  of 
youth,  even  as  a  workman  sets  ivory  in  some 
fair  ornament,  or  compasseth  about  silver  or 
marble  of  Paros  with  gold.  Then  spake  he  to 
the  queen,  "  Lo  !  I  am  he  whom  ye  seek,  even 
^neas  of  Troy,  scarcely  saved  from  the  waters 
of  the  sea.  And  as  for  thee,  O  Queen,  seeing 
that  thou  only  hast  been  found  to  pity  the 
unspeakable  sorrows  of  Troy,  and  biddest  us, 
though  we  be  but  poor  exiles  and  lacking  all 
things,  to  share  thy  city  and  thy  home,  may  the 
Gods  do  so  to  thee  as  thou  deservest.  And, 
of  a  truth,  so  long  as  the  rivers  run  to  the  seas, 
and  the  shadows  fall  on  the  hollows  of  the  hills, 
so  long  will  thy  name  and  thy  glory  survive, 
whatever  be  the  land  to  which  the  Gods  shall 
bring  me."  Then  gave  he  his  right  hand  to 
Ilioneus,  and  his  left  hand  to  Sergestus,  and 
greeted  them  with  great  joy. 

And  Dido,  hearing  these  things,  was  silent 
for  a  while,  but  at  the  last  she  spake :  "  What 
ill  fortune  brings  thee  into  perils  so  great  ? 
what  power  drave  thee  to  these  savage  shores? 


DIDO.  73 

Well  do  I  mind  me  how  in  days  gone  by  there 
came  to  Sidon  one  Teucer,  who,  having  been 
banished  from  his  country,  sought  help  from 
Belus  that  he  might  find  a  kingdom  for  him- 
self. And  it  chanced  that  in  those  days  Belus, 
my  father,  had  newly  conquered  the  land  of 
Cyprus.  From  that  day  did  I  know  the  tale 
of  Troy,  and  thy  name  also,  and  the  chiefs  of 
Greece.  Also  I  remember  that  Teucer  spake 
honourably  of  the  men  of  Troy,  saying  that  he 
was  himself  sprung  of  the  old  Teucrian  stock. 
Come  ye,  therefore,  to  my  palace.  I  too  have 
wandered  far,  even  as  you,  and  so  have  come  to 
this  land,  and  having  suffered  much  have  learnt 
to  succour  them  that  suffer." 

So  saying  she  led  /Eneas  into  her  palace ; 
also  she  sent  to  his  companions  in  the  ships 
great  store  of  provisions,  even  twenty  oxen  and 
a  hundred  bristly  swine  and  a  hundred  ewe 
sheep  with  their  lambs.  But  in  the  palace  a 
great  feast  was  set  forth,  couches  covered  with 
broidered  purple,  and  silver  vessels  without  end, 
and  cups  of  gold,  whereon  were  embossed  the 
mighty  deeds  of  the  men  of  old  time. 

And  in  the  mean  time  vEneas  sent  Achates  in 


74  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

haste  to  the  ships,  that  he  might  fetch  Ascanius 
to  the  feast.  Also  he  bade  that  the  boy  should 
bring  with  him  gifts  of  such  things  as  they  had 
saved  from  the  ruins  of  Troy,  a  mantle  stiff  with 
broidery  of  gold  and  a  veil  bordered  with  yellow 
acanthus,  which  the  fair  Helen  had  taken  with 
her,  flying  from  her  home  ;  but  Leda,  her  mother, 
had  given  them  to  Helen;  a  sceptre  likewise 
which  Ilione,  first-born  of  the  daughters  of 
Priam,  had  carried,  and  a  necklace  of  pearls 
and  a  double  crown  of  jewels  and  gold. 

But  Venus  was  troubled  in  heart,  fearing 
evil  to  her  son  should  the  men  of  Tyre  be 
treacherous,  after  their  wont,  and  Juno  remem- 
ber her  wrath.  Wherefore,  taking  counsel  with 
herself,  she  called  to  the  winged  boy,  even 
Love,  that  was  her  son,  and  spake,  "  My  son, 
who  art  all  my  power  and  strength,  who 
laughest  at  the  thunders  of  Jupiter,  thou 
knowest  how  Juno,  being  exceedingly  wroth 
against  thy  brother  iEneas,  causeth  him  to 
wander  out  of  the  way  over  all  lands.  This 
day  Dido  hath  him  in  her  palace,  and  speaketh 
him  fair  ;  but  I  fear  me  much  how  these  things 
may  end.      Wherefore  hear  thou  that  which  I 


DIDO.  75 

purpose.  Thy  brother  hath  even  now  sent  for  the 
boy  Ascanius,  that  he  may  come  to  the  palace, 
bringing  with  him  gifts  of  such  things  as  they 
saved  from  the  ruins  of  Troy.  Him  will  I 
cause  to  fall  into  a  deep  sleep,  and  hide  in 
Cythera  or  Idalium,  and  do  thou  for  one  night 
take  upon  thee  his  likeness.  And  when  Queen 
Dido  at  the  feast  shall  hold  thee  in  her  lap,  and 
kiss  and  embrace  thee,  do  thou  breathe  by 
stealth  thy  fire  into  her  heart." 

Then  did  Love  as  his  mother  bade  him, 
and  put  off  his  wings,  and  took  upon  him  the 
shape  of  Ascanius,  but  on  the  boy  Venus  caused 
there  to  fall  a  deep  sleep,  and  carried  him  to 
the  woods  of  Idalium,  and  lapped  him  in  sweet- 
smelling  flowers.  And  in  his  stead  Love  car- 
ried the  gifts  to  the  queen.  And  when  he  was 
come  they  sat  down  to  the  feast,  the  queen 
being  in  the  midst  under  a  canopy.  .-Eneas 
also  and  the  men  of  Troy  lay  on  coverlets  of 
purple,  to  whom  serving-men  brought  water 
and  bread  in  baskets  and  napkins ;  and  within 
fifty  handmaids  were  ready  to  replenish  the 
store  of  victual  and  to  fan  the  fire  ;  and  a  hundred 
others,  with  pages  as  many,  loaded  the  tables 


76  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

with  dishes  and  drinking-cups.  Many  men  of 
Tyre  also  were  bidden  to  the  feast.  Much  they 
marvelled  at  the  gifts  of  iEneas,  and  much  at 
the  false  Ascanius.  Dido  also  could  not  satisfy 
herself  with  looking  on  him,  nor  knew  what 
trouble  he  was  preparing  for  her  in  the  time 
to  come.  And  he,  having  first  embraced  the 
father  who  was  not  his  father,  and  clung  about 
his  neck,  addressed  himself  to  Queen  Dido,  and 
she  ever  followed  him  with  her  eyes,  and  some- 
times would  hold  him  on  her  lap.  And  still  he 
worked  upon  her  that  she  should  forget  the  dead 
Sichseus  and  conceive  a  new  love  in  her  heart. 
But  when  they  first  paused  from  the  feast, 
lo  !  men  set  great  bowls  upon  the  table  and 
filled  them  to  the  brim  with  wine.  Then  did 
the  queen  call  for  a  great  vessel  of  gold,  with 
many  jewels  upon  it,  from  which  Belus,  and  all 
the  kings  from  Belus,  had  drunk,  and  called  for 
wine,  and  having  filled  it  she  cried,  "  O  Jupiter, 
whom  they  call  the  god  of  hosts  and  guests, 
cause  that  this  be  a  day  of  joy  for  the  men  of 
Troy  and  for  them  of  Tyre,  and  that  our 
children  remember  it  for  ever.  Also  Bacchus, 
giver  of  joy,   be    present,    and   kindly   Juno." 


DIDO.  77 

And  when  she  had  touched  the  wine  with  her 
lips,  she  handed  the  great  cup  to  Prince  Bitias, 
who  drank  thereout  a  mighty  draught,  and  the 
other  princes  after  him.  Then  the  minstrel 
Iopas,  whom  Atlas  himself  had  taught,  sang  to 
the  harp,  of  the  moon,  how  she  goes  on  her 
way,  and  of  the  sun,  how  his  light  is  darkened. 
He  sang  also  of  men,  and  of  the  beasts  of  the 
field,  whence  they  come  ;  and  of  the  stars, 
Arcturus,  and  the  Greater  Bear  and  the  Less, 
and  the  Hyades  ;  and  of  the  winter  sun,  why  he 
hastens  to  dip  himself  in  the  ocean  ;  and  of  the 
winter  nights,  why  they  tarry  so  long.  The 
queen  also  talked  much  of  the  story  of  Troy,  of 
Priam,  and  of  Hector,  asking  many  things,  as 
of  the  arms  of  Memnon,  and  of  the  horses  of 
Diomed,  and  of  Achilles,  how  great  he  was. 
And  at  last  she  said  to  yEneas,  "  Tell  us  now 
thy  story,  how  Troy  was  taken,  and  thy  wander- 
ings over  land  and  sea."  And  /Eneas  made 
answer,  "  Nay,  O  Queen,  but  thou  biddest  me 
renew  a  sorrow  unspeakable.  Yet,  if  thou  art 
minded  to  hear  these  things,  hearken."  And 
he  told  her  all  that  had  befallen  him,  even  to 
the  day  when  his  father  Anchises  died. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE    LOVE    AND    DEATH    OF    DIDO. 

Much  was  Queen  Dido  moved  by  the  story, 
and  much  did  she  marvel  at  him  that  told  it, 
and  scarce  could  sleep  for  thinking  of  him.  And 
the  next  day  she  spake  to  Anna,  her  sister,  "  O 
my  sister,  I  have  been  troubled  this  night  with 
ill  dreams,  and  my  heart  is  disquieted  within 
me.  What  a  man  is  this  stranger  that  hath 
come  to  our  shores  !  How  noble  of  mien  !  How 
bold  in  war  !  Sure  I  am  that  he  is  of  the  sons 
of  the  Gods.  What  fortunes  have  been  his  !  Of 
what  wars  he  told  us  !  Surely  were  I  not  stead- 
fastly purposed  that  I  would  not  yoke  me  again 
in  marriage,  this  were  the  man  to  whom  I  might 
yield.  Only  he — for  I  will  tell  thee  the  truth,  my, 
sister — only  he,  since  the  day  when  Sichaeus  died 
by  his  brother's  hand,  hath  moved  my  heart  But 
may  the  earth  swallow  me  up,  or  the  almighty 
Father  strike  me  with  lightning,  ere  I  stoop  to 


THE  LOVE  AND  DEATH  OF  DIDO.  79 

such  baseness.  The  husband  of  my  youth  hath 
carried  with  him  m,r  love,  and  he  shall  keep  it 
in  his  grave." 

So  she  spake,  with  many  tears.  And  hei 
sister  made  answer,  "  Why  wilt  thou  waste  thy 
youth  in  sorrow,  without  child  or  husband  ? 
Thinkest  thou  that  there  is  care  or  remembrance 
of  such  things  in  the  grave  ?  No  suitors  indeed 
have  pleased  thee  here  or  in  Tyre,  but  wilt  thou 
also  contend  with  a  love  that  is  after  thine  own 
heart  ?  Think  too  of  the  nations  among  whom 
thou  dwellest,  how  fierce  they  are,  and  of  thy 
brother  at  Tyre,  what  he  threatens  against  thee. 
Surely  it  was  by  the  will  of  the  Gods,  and  of 
Juno  chiefly,  that  the  ships  of  Troy  came  hither. 
And  this  city,  which  thou  buildest,  to  what 
greatness  will  it  grow  if  only  thou  wilt  make 
for  thyself  such  alliance  !  How  great  will  be  the 
glory  of  Carthage  if  the  strength  of  Troy  be 
joined  unto  her  !  Only  do  thou  pray  to  the  Gods 
and  offer  sacrifices ;  and,  for  the  present,  seeing 
that  the  time  of  sailing  is  now  past,  make 
excuse  that  these  strangers  tarry  with  thee 
awhile." 

Thus  did  Anna  comfort  her  sister  and  en- 


80  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

courage  her.  And  first  the  two  offered  sacrifice 
to  the  Gods,  chiefly  to  Juno,  who  careth  for  the 
bond  of  marriage.  Also,  examining  the  entrails 
of  slain  beasts,  they  sought  to  learn  the  things 
that  should  happen  thereafter.  And  ever  Dido 
would  company  with  vEneas,  leading  him  about 
the  walls  of  the  city  which  she  builded.  And 
often  she  would  begin  to  speak  and  stay  in  the 
midst  of  her  words.  And  when  even  was  come, 
she  would  hear  again  and  again  at  the  banquet 
the  tale  of  Troy,  and  while  others  slept  would 
watch,  and  while  he  was  far  away  would  seem  to 
see  him  and  to  hear  him.  Ascanius,  too,  she 
would  embrace  for  love  of  his  father,  if  so  she 
might  cheat  her  own  heart.  But  the  work  of 
the  city  was  stayed  meanwhile  ;  nor  did  the 
towers  rise  in  their  places,  nor  the  youth  practise 
themselves  in  arms. 

Then  Juno,  seeing  how  it  fared  with  the 
queen,  spake  to  Venus,  "  Are  ye  satisfied  with 
your  victory,  thou  and  thy  son,  that  ye  have 
vanquished  the  two  of  you  one  woman  ?  Well 
I  knew  that  thou  fearedst  lest  this  Carthage 
should  harm  thy  favourite.  But  why  should 
there  be  war   between  us  ?     Thou  hast  what 


THE  LOVE  AND  DEATH  OF  DIDO.  8l 

thou  seckedst.  Let  us  make  alliance.  Let  Dido 
obey  a  Phrygian  husband,  and  bring  the  men 
of  Tyre  as  her  dowry." 

But  Venus  knew  that  she  spake  with  ill  intent, 
to  the  end  that  the  men  of  Troy  should  not 
reign  in  the  land  of  Italy.  Nevertheless  she 
dissembled  with  her  tongue,  and  spake,  "  Who 
would  not  rather  have  peace  with  thee  than 
war  ?  Only  I  doubt  whether  this  thing  shall  be 
to  the  pleasure  of  Jupiter.  This  thou  must 
learn,  seeing  that  thou  art  his  wife,  and  where 
thou  leadest  I  will  follow." 

So  the  two,  taking  counsel  together,  ordered 
things  in  this  wise.  The  next  day  a  great 
hunting  was  prepared.  For  as  soon  as  ever 
the  sun  was  risen  upon  the  earth,  the  youth  of 
the  city  assembled,  with  nets  and  hunting  spears 
and  dogs  that  ran  by  scent.  And  the  princes 
of  Carthage  waited  for  the  queen  at  the  palace 
door,  where  her  horse  stood  champing  the  bit, 
with  trappings  of  purple  and  gold.  And  after 
a  while  she  came  forth,  with  many  following 
her.  And  she  had  upon  her  a  Sidonian  mantle, 
with  a  border  wrought  with  divers  colours ;  of 
gold  was  her  quiver,  and  of  gold  the  knot  of 


S2  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

her  hair,  and  of  gold  the  clasp  to  her  mantle. 
./Eneas  likewise  came  forth,  beautiful  as  is 
Apollo  when  he  leaveth  Lydia  and  the  stream 
■of  Xanthus,  coming  to  Delos,  and  hath  about 
his  hair  a  wreath  of  bay-leaves  and  a  circlet  of 
gold.  So  fair  was  ^Eneas  to  see.  And  when 
the  hunters  came  to  the  hills  they  found  great 
store  of  goats  and  stags,  which  they  chased. 
And  of  all  the  company  Ascanius  was  the  fore- 
most, thinking  scorn  of  such  hunting,  and  wish- 
ing that  a  wild  boar  or  a  lion  out  of  the  hills 
should  come  forth  to  be  his  prey, 

And  now  befell  a  great  storm,  with  much 
thunder  and  hail,  from  which  the  hunters 
sought  shelter.  But  ^Eneas  and  the  queen, 
being  left  of  all  their  company,  came  together 
to  the  same  cave.  And  there  they  plighted 
their  troth  one  to  another.  Nor  did  the  queen 
after  that  make  secret  of  her  love,  but  called 
iEneas  her  husband. 

Straightway  went  Rumour  and  told  these 
things  through  the  cities  of  Libya.  Now 
Rumour,  men  say,  is  the  youngest  daughter  of 
Earth,  a  marvellous  creature,  moving  very 
swiftly  with  feet  and  wings,  and  having  many 


THE  LOVE  AND  DEATH  OF  DIDO.  83 

feathers  upon  her,  and  under  every  feather  an 
eye  and  a  tongue  and  a  mouth  and  an  ear.  In 
the  night  sheflieth  between  heaven  and  earth, and 
sleepeth  not ;  and  in  the  day  she  sitteth  on  some 
housetop  or  lofty  tower,  or  spreadeth  fear  over 
mighty  cities  ;  and  she  loveth  that  which  is  false 
even  as  she  loveth  that  which  is  true.  So  now 
she  went  telling  through  Libya  how  iEneas  of 
Troy  was  come,  and  Dido  was  wedded  to  him, 
and  how  they  lived  careless  and  at  ease,  and 
thinking  not  of  the  work  to  which  they  were 
called. 

And  first  of  all  she  went  to  Prince  Iarbas, 
who  himself  had  sought  Dido  in  marriage.  And 
Iarbas  was  very  wroth  when  he  heard  it,  and, 
coming  to  the  temple  of  Jupiter,  spread  his 
grief  before  the  god,  how  that  he  had  given  a 
place  on  his  coasts  to  this  Dido,  and  would 
have  taken  her  to  wife,  but  that  she  had  married 
a  stranger  from  Phrygia,  another  Paris,  whose 
dress  and  adornments  were  of  a  woman  rather 
than  of  a  man. 

And  Jupiter  saw  that  this  was  so,  and  he 
said  to  Mercury,  who  was  his  messenger,  "  Go 
speak  to  iEneas  these  words :  '  Thus  saith  the 


STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 


King  of  Gods  and  men.  Is  this  what  thy 
mother  promised  of  thee,  twice  saving  thee 
from  the  spear  of  the  Greeks  ?  Art  thou  he 
that  shall  rule  Italy  and  its  mighty  men  of  war, 
and  spread  thy  dominion  to  the  ends  of  the 
world?  If  thou  thyself  forgettest  these  things, 
dost  thou  grudge  to  thy  son  the  citadels  of 
Rome  ?  What  doest  thou  here  ?  Why  lookest 
thou  not  to  Italy  ?     Depart  and  tarry  not.'  " 

Then  Mercury  fitted  the  winged  sandals  to 
his  feet,  and  took  the  wand  with  which  he 
driveth  the  spirits  of  the  dead,  and  came  right 
soon  to  Mount  Atlas,  which  standeth  bearing 
the  heaven  on  his  head,  and  having  always  clouds 
about  his  top,  and  snow  upon  his  shoulders, 
and  a  beard  that  is  stiff  with  ice.  There  Mer- 
cury stood  awhile ;  then,  as  a  bird  which  seeks 
its  prey  in  the  sea,  shot  headlong  down,  and 
came  to  ^Eneas  where  he  stood,  with  a  yellow 
jasper  in  his  sword-hilt,  and  a  cloak  of  purple 
shot  with  gold  about  his  shoulders,  and  spake  : 
"  Buildest  thou  Carthage,  forgetting  thine  own 
work  ?  The  Almighty  Father  saith  to  thee, 
1  What  meanest  thou  ?  Why  tarriest  thou 
here  ?     If  thou  carest  not  for  thyself,  yet  think 


THE  LOVE  AND  DEATH  OF  DIDO.  85 

of  thy  son,  and  that  the  Fates  have  given  to 
him  Italy  and  Rome. 

And  /Eneas  saw  him  no  more.  And  he 
stood  stricken  with  fear  and  doubt.  Fain  would 
he  obey  the  voice,  and  go  as  the  Gods  com- 
manded. But  how  should  he  tell  this  purpose  to 
the  queen  ?  But  at  the  last  it  seemed  good  to  him 
to  call  certain  of  the  chiefs,  as  Mnestheus,  and 
Sergestus,  and  Antheus,  and  bid  them  make 
ready  the  ships  in  silence,  and  gather  together 
the  people,  but  dissemble  the  cause,  and  he 
himself  would  watch  a  fitting  time  to  speak  and 
unfold  the  matter  to  the  queen. 

Yet  was  not  Dido  deceived,  for  love  is  keen 
of  sight.  Rumour  also  told  her  that  they  made 
ready  the  ships  for  sailing.  Then,  flying  through 
the  city,  even  as  one  on  whom  has  come  the 
frenzy  of  Bacchus  flies  by  night  over  Mount 
Cithaeron,  she  came  upon  .-Eneas,  and  spake : 
"  Thoughtest  thou  to  hide  thy  crime,  and  to 
depart  in  silence  from  this  land  ?  Carest  thou 
not  for  her  whom  thou  leavest  to  die  ?  And 
hast  thou  no  fear  of  winter  storms  that  vex  the 
sea  ?  By  all  that  I  have  done  for  thee  and 
given  thee,  if  there  be  yet  any  place  for  repent- 


86  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

ance,  repent  thee  of  this  purpose.  For  thy  sake 
I  suffer  the  wrath  of  the  princes  of  Libya  and 
of  my  own  people  ;  and  if  thou  leavest  me,  for 
what  should  I  live  ? — till  my  brother  overthrow 
my  city,  or  Iarbas  carry  me  away  captive  ?  If 
but  I  had  a  little  /Eneas  to  play  in  my  halls 
I  should  not  seem  so  altogether  desolate. " 

But  iEneas,  fearing  the  words  of  Jupiter, 
stood  with  eyes  that  relented  not.  At  the  last 
he  spake  :  "  I  deny  not,  O  Queen,  the  benefits 
that  thou  hast  done  unto  me,  nor  ever,  while 
I  live,  shall  I  forget  Dido.  I  sought  not  to  fly 
by  stealth  ;  yet  did  I  never  promise  that  I 
would  abide  in  this  place.  Could  I  have  chosen 
according  to  my  will  I  had  built  again  the  city 
of  Troy  where  it  stood  ;  but  the  Gods  command 
that  I  should  seek  Italy.  Thou  hast  thy 
Carthage  :  why  dost  thou  grudge  Italy  to  us  ? 
Nor  may  I  tarry.  Night  after  night  have  I 
seen  my  father  Anchises  warning  me  in  dreams. 
Also  even  now  the  messenger  of  Jupiter  came 
to  me — with  these  ears  I  heard  him — and  bade 
me  depart." 

Then,  in  great  wrath,  with  eyes  askance,  did 
Dido  break  forth  upon  him  :   "  Surely  no  god- 


THE  LOVE  AND  DEATH  OF  DIDO.  87 

dess  was  thy  mother,  nor  art  thou  come  of  the 
race  of  Dardanus.  The  rocks  of  Caucasus 
brought  thee  forth,  and  an  Hyrcanian  tigress 
gave  thee  suck.  For  why  should  I  dissemble  ? 
Was  he  moved  at  all  my  tears  ?  Did  he  pity  my 
love  ?  Nay,  the  very  Gods  are  against  me.  This 
man  I  took  to  myself  when  he  was  shipwrecked 
and  ready  to  perish.  I  brought  back  his  ships, 
his  companions  from  destruction.  And  now  for- 
sooth comes  the  messenger  of  Jupiter  with 
dreadful  commands  from  the  Gods.  As  for  thee, 
I  keep  thee  not.  Go,  seek  thy  Italy  across  the 
seas  :  only,  if  there  is  any  vengeance  in  heaven,, 
thou  wilt  pay  the  penalty  for  this  wrong,  being 
wrecked  on  some  rock  in  their  midst.  Then 
wilt  thou  call  on  Dido  in  vain.  Aye,  and  wher- 
ever thou  shalt  go  I  will  haunt  thee,  and  rejoice 
in  the  dwellings  below  to  hear  thy  doom." 

Then  she  turned,  and  hasted  to  go  into  the 
house.  But  her  spirit  left  her,  so  that  her 
maidens  bare  her  to  her  chamber  and  laid  her 
on  her  bed. 

Then  /Eneas,  though  indeed  he  was  much 
troubled  in  heart,  and  would  fain  have  com- 
forted the  queen,  was  obedient  to  the  heavenly 


STORIES  FROM    VIRGIL. 


word,  and  departed  to  his  ships.  And  the  men 
of  Troy  busied  themselves  in  making  them, 
ready  for  the  voyage.  Even  as  the  ants  spoil  a 
great  heap  of  corn  and  store  it  in  their  dwellings 
against  winter,  moving  in  a  black  line  across  the 
field,  and  some  carry  the  great  grains,  and  some 
chide  those  that  linger,  even  so  did  the  Trojans 
swarm  along  the  ways  and  labour  at  the 
work. 

But  when  Dido  saw  it  she  called  to  Anna 
her  sister,  and  said,  "  Seest  thou  how  they 
hasten  the  work  along  the  shore  ?  Even  now 
the  sails  are  ready  for  the  winds,  and  the 
sailors  have  wreathed  the  ships  with  garlands, 
as  if  for  departure.  Go  thou— the  deceiver 
always  trusted  thee,  and  thou  knowest  how 
best  to  move  him — go  and  entreat  him.  I 
harmed  not  him  nor  his  people ;  let  him  then 
grant  me  this  only.  Let  him  wait  for  a  fairer 
time  for  his  journey.  I  ask  not  that  he  give  up 
his  purpose ;  only  that  he  grant  me  a  short 
breathing  space,  till  I  may  learn  how  to  bear 
this  sorrow." 

And  Anna  hearkened  to  her  sister,  and  took 
the  message  to  iEneas,  yet  profited  nothing,  for 


THE  LO  VE  AND  DEA  TH  OF  DIDO.  89 


the  Gods  shut  his  ears  that  he  should  not  hear. 
Even  as  an  oak  stands  firm  when  the  north  wind 
would  root  it  up  from  the  earth — its  leaves  are 
scattered  all  around,  yet  doth  it  remain  firm,  for 
its  roots  go  down  to  the  regions  below,  even  as 
far  as  its  branches  reach  to  heaven — so  stood 
iEneas  firm,  and,  though  he  wept  many  tears, 
changed  not  his  purpose. 

Then  did  Dido  grow  weary  of  her  life.  For 
when  she  did  sacrifice,  the  pure  water  would 
grow  black  and  the  wine  be  changed  into  blood. 
Also  from  the  shrine  of  her  husband,  which  was 
in  the  midst  of  her  palace,  was  heard  a  voice 
calling  her,  and  the  owl  cried  aloud  from  the 
house-top.  And  in  her  dreams  the  cruel  ^Eneas 
seemed  to  drive  her  before  him  ;  or  she  seemed  to 
be  going  a  long  way  with  none  to  bear  her  com- 
pany, and  be  seeking  her  own  people  in  a  land 
that  was  desert.  Therefore,  hiding  the  thing  that 
was  in  her  heart,  she  spake  to  her  sister,  saying, "  I 
have  found  a  way,  my  sister,  that  shall  bring  him 
back  to  me  or  set  me  free  from  him.  Near  the 
shore  of  the  Great  Sea,  where  the  ^Ethiopians 
dwell,  is  a  priestess,  who  guards  the  temple  of  the 
daughters  of  Hesperus,  being  wont  to  feed  the 


90  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

dragons  that  kept  the  apples  of  gold.  She  is 
able  by  her  charms  to  loose  the  heart  from  care 
or  to  bind  it,  and  to  stay  rivers  also,  and  to 
turn  the  courses  of  the  stars,  and  to  call  up  the 
spirits  of  the  dead.  Do  thou,  therefore — for 
this  is  what  the  priestess  commands — build  a 
pile  in  the  open  court,  and  put  thereon  the  sword 
which  he  left  hanging  in  our  chamber,  and  the 
garments  he  wore,  and  the  couch  on  which  he 
lay,  even  all  that  was  his,  so  that  they  may 
perish  together." 

And  when  these  things  were  done — for  Anna 
knew  not  of  her  purpose — and  also  an  image  of 
^Eneas  was  laid  upon  the  pile,  the  priestess, 
with  her  hair  unbound,  called  upon  all  the  gods 
that  dwell  below,  sprinkling  thereon  water  that 
was  drawn,  she  said,  from  the  lake  of  Avernus, 
and  scattering  evil  herbs  that  had  been  cut  at 
the  full  moon  with  a  sickle  of  bronze.  Dido 
also,  with  one  foot  bare  and  her  garments  loos- 
ened, threw  meal  upon  the  fire  and  called  upon 
the  Gods,  if  haply  there  be  any,  that  look  upon 
those  that  love  and  suffer  wrong. 

In  the  mean  time  iEneas  lay  asleep  in  the 
hind  part  of  his  ship,  when  there  appeared  to 


THE  LOVE  AND  DEATH  OF  DIDO.  91 

him  in  a  dream  the  god  Mercury,  even  as  he 
had  seen  him  when  he  brought  the  command- 
ment  of  Jupiter.  And  Mercury  spake,  saying, 
"  Son  of  Venus,  canst  thou  sleep  ?  seest  thou 
not  what  perils  surround  thee,  nor  hearest  how 
the  favourable  west  wind  calls  ?  The  queen 
purposes  evil  against  thee.  If  thou  lingerest 
till  the  morning  come  thou  wilt  see  the  shore 
covered  with  them  that  wish  thee  harm.  Fly, 
then,  and  tarry  not ;  for  a  woman  is  ever  of 
many  minds." 

Then  did  iEneas  in  great  fear  start  from  his 
sleep,  and  call  his  companions,  saying,  "  Wake, 
and  sit  on  the  benches,  and  loose  the  sails.  'Tis 
a  god  thus  bids  us  fly."  And  even  as  he  spake 
he  cut  the  cable  with  his  sword.  And  all  hasted 
to  follow  him,  and  sped  over  the  sea. 

And  now  it  was  morning,  and  Queen  Dido, 
from  her  watch-tower,  saw  the  ships  upon  the 
sea.  Then  she  smote  upon  her  breast  and  tore 
her  hair,  and  cried,  "  Shall  this  stranger  mock 
us  thus  ?  Hasten  to  follow  him.  Bring  down 
the  ships  from  the  docks,  make  ready  sword  and 
fire.  And  this  was  the  man  who  bare  upon  his 
shoulders  his  aged  father !     Why  did  I  not  tea* 


92  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

him  to  pieces,  and  slay  his  companions  with  the 
sword,  and  serve  up  the  young  Ascanius  at  his 
meal  ?  And  if  I  had  perished,  what  then  ?  for 
I  die  to-day.  O  Sun,  that  regardest  all  the 
earth,  and  Juno,  that  carest  for  marriage  bonds, 
and  Hecate,  Queen  of  the  dead,  and  ye  Furies 
that  take  vengeance  on  evildoers,  hear  me.  If 
it  be  ordered  that  he  reach  this  land,  yet  grant 
that  he  suffer  many  things  from  his  enemies, 
and  be  driven  from  his  city,  and  beg  for  help  from 
strangers,  and  see  his  people  cruelly  slain  with 
the  sword  ;  and,  when  he  shall  have  made  peace 
on  ill  conditions,  that  he  enjoy  not  long  his 
kingdom,  but  die  before  his  day,  and  lie  un- 
buried  on  the  plain.  And  ye,  men  of  Tyre, 
hate  his  children  and  his  people  for  ever.  Let 
there  be  no  love  or  peace  between  you.  And 
may  some  avenger  arise  from  my  grave  who 
shall  persecute  the  race  of  Dardanus  with  fire 
and  sword.  So  shall  there  be  war  for  ever 
between  him  and  me." 

Then  she  spake  to  old  Barce,  who  had  been 
nurse  to  her  husband  Sichgeus,  "  Bid  my  sister 
bathe  herself  in  water,  and  bring  with  her  beasts 
for  sacrifice.     And  do  thou  also  put  a  garland 


THE  LOVE  AND  DEATH  OF  DIDO.  93 

about  thy  head,  for  I  am  minded  to  finish  this 
sacrifice  which  I  have  begun,  and  to  burn  the 
image  of  the  man  of  Troy." 

And  when  the  old  woman  made  haste  to  do 
her  bidding,  Queen  Dido  ran  to  the  court  where 
the  pile  was  made  for  the  burning,  and  mounted 
on  the  pile,  and  drew  the  sword  of  iEneas  from 
the  scabbard.  Then  did  she  throw  herself  upon 
the  bed,  and  cry,  "  Now  do  I  yield  up  my  life. 
I  have  finished  my  course.  I  have  built  a 
mighty  city.  I  have  avenged  my  husband  on 
him  that  slew  him.  Happy  had  I  been,  yea  too 
happy  !  had  the  ships  of  Troy  never  come  to 
this  land."  Then  she  kissed  the  bed  and  cried, 
"  Shall  I  die  unavenged  ?  Nevertheless  let  me 
die.  The  man  of  Troy  shall  see  this  fire  from 
the  sea  whereon  he  journeys,  and  carry  with  him 
an  augury  of  death." 

And  when  her  maidens  looked,  lo  !  she  had 
fallen  upon  the  sword,  and  the  blood  was  upon  her 
hands.  And  a  great  cry  went  up  through  the 
palace,  exceeding  loud  and  bitter,  even  as  if  the 
enemy  had  taken  Carthage  or  ancient  Tyre,  and 
the  fire  were  mounting  over  the  dwellings  of 
men  and  of  Gods.     And  Anna  her  sister  heard 


94  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

it,  and  rushing  through  the  midst  called  her  by 
name,  "  O  my  sister,  was  this  thy  purpose  ? 
Were  the  pile  and  the  sword  and  the  fire  for  this  ? 
Why  wouldst  thou  not  suffer  that  I  should  die 
with  thee  ?  For  surely,  my  sister,  thou  hast 
slain  thyself,  and  me,  and  thy  people,  and  thy 
city.  But  give  me  water,  ye  maidens,  that  I 
may  wash  her  wounds,  and  if  there  be  any 
breath  left  in  her,  we  may  yet  stay  it." 

Then  she  climbed  on  to  the  pile,  and  caught 
her  sister  in  her  arms,  and  sought  to  staunch  the 
blood  with  her  garments.  Three  times  did 
Dido  strive  to  raise  her  eyes  ;  three  times  did 
her  spirit  leave  her.  Three  times  she  would 
have  raised  herself  upon  her  elbow  ;  three  times 
she  fell  back  upon  the  bed,  looking  with  wander- 
ing eyes  for  the  light,  and  groaning  that  she  vet 
beheld  it. 

Then  Juno,  looking  down  from  heaven,  saw 
that  her  pain  was  long,  and  pitied  her,  and  sent 
down  Iris,  her  messenger,  that  she  might  loose 
the  soul  that  struggled  to  be  free.  For,  seeing 
that  she  died  not  by  nature,  nor  yet  by  the  hand 
of  man,  but  before  her  time  and  of  her  own  mad- 
ness, Queen  Proserpine  had  not  shred  the  ringlet 


THE  LOVE  AND  DEATH  OF  DIDO.  95 

from  her  head  which  she  shreds  from  them  that 
die.  Wherefore  Iris,  flying  down  with  dewy  wings 
from  heaven,  with  a  thousand  colours  about  her 
from  the  light  of  the  sun,  stood  above  her  head 
and  said,  "  I  give  thee  to  death,  even  as  I  am 
bidden,  and  loose  thee  from  thy  body."  Then 
she  shred  the  lock,  and  Queen  Dido  gave  up 
the  ghost. 


CHAPTER   X. 

THE    FUNERAL    GAMES    OF    ANCHISES. 

Now  were  JEneas  and  the  men  of  Troy  far 
from  land.  And  looking  back  they  saw  a  great 
light,  nor  knew  what  it  might  be  ;  only  they 
feared  some  evil  hap,  knowing  the  rage  that  was 
in  Dido's  heart,  and  what  a  woman  in  her  mad- 
ness may  do.  And  indeed  the  people  of  the 
queen  were  burning  her  body  on  the  pile  which 
she  had  made. 

But  lo !  the  sky  grew  dark  overhead,  and 
there  were  signs  as  of  a  great  storm.  And 
Palinurus,  the  pilot,  cried  from  the  stern, 
where  he  stood  with  the  rudder  in  his  hand, 
"What  mean  these  clouds?  What  doest  thou, 
Father  Neptune?"  And  he  bade  the  men 
clear  the  decks  and  put  out  the  oars  to  row, 
and  shift  the  sails  to  the  wind.  Then  he  spake 
to  iEneas,  saying,  "  Italy  we  may  not  hope 
to  reach  with  this   weather.     No,  not    though 


THE  FUNERAL   GAMES  OF  ANCHISES.       97 

Jupiter  himself  promise  it  to  us.  But,  if  I 
remember  me  aright,  the  havens  of  Sicily  are 
at  hand,  wherefore  let  us  turn  our  course 
thither." 

And  iEneas  answered,  "  It  is  well :  for  I  see 
that  the  winds  are  contrary  to  us.  And,  of  a 
truth,  there  is  no  land  whither  I  would  more 
gladly  go,  seeing  that  my  father  Anchises  is 
buried  there." 

Then  they  shifted  their  course,  and  let  their 
ships  run  before  the  wind,  and  so  came  with 
much  speed  to  the  land  of  Sicily.  Now  Acestes, 
who  was  king  of  the  land,  was  the  son  of  a 
woman  of  Troy,  and,  seeing  them  from  a  hill- 
top, he  came  to  meet  them,  having  the  skin  of  a 
lion  on  his  shoulders  and  a  javelin  in  his  hand, 
and  refreshed  them  with  food  and  drink. 

The  next  day  at  dawn  iEneas  called  the  men 
of  Troy  together,  and  spake,  saying,  "  It  is  a 
full  year  since  we  buried  my  father  in  this  land, 
and  this,  if  I  err  not,  is  the  very  day :  which  I 
will  that  we  keep  holy  with  festival ;  for  such, 
indeed,  would  I  do  were  I  wandering  in  the 
wilderness  of  Africa  or  shut  up  in  Mycenae 
itself.     Now,  therefore,  seeing  that    we  are  in 

8 


STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 


a  land  that  is  friendly  to  us,  let  us  keep  it  with 
solemnity.  And  let  us  vow  also  that  we  will 
keep  it  year  by  year  in  the  land  of  Italy,  if  so 
be  that,  having  prosperous  winds,  we  shall  come 
thereunto.  Likewise,  King  Acestes  gives  to  us 
oxen,  for  every  ship  two:  wherefore  make  merry 
and  rejoice.  And  if  the  ninth  day  from  this  be 
fair,  I  will  that  there  be  games  of  running  in  a 
race,  and  of  throwing  the  javelin,  and  of  shoot- 
ing with  the  bow,  and  of  boxing,  and  the  like. 
And  now  make  ready  for  the  sacrifice." 

Then  he  put  upon  his  head  a  wreath  of  his 
mother's  myrtle.  And  old  Acestes  did  the  like, 
and  the  boy  Ascanius,  and  the  others.  Then  he 
came  near  to  the  tomb  of  his  father,  and  poured 
out  two  cups  of  wine  and  two  of  new  milk,  and 
scattered  flowers,  and  said,  "  Hail  to  thee,  my 
father,  whom  the  Gods  suffered  not  to  enter 
with  me  into  the  land  of  Italy." 

And  even  as  he  spake  there  came  forth  a 
great  snake  from  the  depth  of  the  tomb.  Seven- 
coils  he  had.  and  on  his  body  were  spots  of  blue 
and  gold,  and  as  many  colours  as  are  the  co- 
lours of  the  rainbow  in  the  clouds.  And  when 
^Eneas    stood  astonied,  lo !  the    snake  passed 


THE  FUNERAL   GAMES  OF  ANCHISES.       99 

between  the  altars  and  tasted  of  the  sacrifice 
and  of  that  which  had  been  poured  out.  And 
iEneas,  doubting  what  this  might  be,  made 
fresh  offerings,  two  sheep,  and  two  swine,  and 
two  black  oxen,  calling  on  the  spirit  of  Anchises. 
And  the  men  of  Troy  also  brought  gifts,  and 
slew  oxen  for  sacrifice,  and  feasted  on  the  flesh, 
roasting  it  with  fire. 

And  now  the  ninth  day  was  come,  and  the 
sky  was  fair.  Great  was  the  concourse  of  people, 
for  the  name  of  King  Acestes  was  famous  in 
the  land.  Also  many  came  to  see  the  men  of 
Troy,  and  some  to  strive  in  the  games.  First 
were  the  prizes  put  in  the  midst,  three-footed 
tables  for  sacrifices,  and  crowns,  and  palms,  and 
weapons,  and  purple  garments,  and  talents  of 
gold  and  silver ;  and  then  the  trumpet  sounded 
and  called  the  people  together. 

And  first  of  all  was  the  race  of  ships.  Four 
were  they  that  strove  together,  Mnestheus  with 
the  Sea-Horse,  and  Gyas  with  the  Chimeera, 
and  Sergestus  with  the  Centaur,  and  Cloanthus 
with  the  Scylla.  Now  far  out  in  the  sea  was  a 
rock,  which  is  covered  by  the  waves  when  the 
sea  is  rough,  but  stands  above  them  if  it  be  calm, 


STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 


and  upon  it  the  cormorants  love  to  bask.  Here 
did  iEneas  set  a  young  tree,  a  holm-oak,  as  a 
goal,  that  the  ships  should  round  it  and  so  return. 
First  they  cast  lots  for  places,  and  the  captains 
stood  upon  the  sterns,  in  purple  and  gold,  and 
the  rowers  had  garlands  of  honour  about  their 
heads  and  were  anointed  with  oil.  Thus  they 
sat  upon  the  benches,  holding  the  oars  for  a 
stroke,  and  their  hearts  beat  high  with  hope. 
And  when  the  trumpet  sounded  each  ship  leapt 
from  its  place,  and  the  sea  foamed  with  the 
strokes  of  many  oars.  And  all  the  people 
shouted  aloud,  having  favour  for  this  or  for  that 
of  the  captains.  And  first  of  all  came  Gyas 
with  the  Chimasra,  and  next  to  him  Cloanthus 
with  the  Scylla,  for  his  men  were  indeed  the 
stronger,  but  the  ship  more  heavy.  And  after 
the  Scylla  came  the  Sea-Horse  and  the  Centaur 
at  equal  speed,  now  this  one  being  foremost  and 
now  that.  But  when  they  were  now  come  near 
the  rock,  Gyas,  being  in  the  first  place,  cried  to 
his  helmsman  Mencetes,  "  Why  goest  thou 
overmuch  to  the  right  ?  Keep  thou  close  to  the 
rock.  Let  others  choose  the  sea  if  they  will." 
But  Mencetes,  fearing  the  hidden  rocks,  turned 


THE  FUNERAL    GAMES  OF  ANCHISES.     ior 

ever  the  prow  to  the  sea.  Then  a  second  time 
cried  Gyas,  "Make  for  the  rock,  Menoetes." 
And  as  he  spake,  the  Scylla  now  came  near, 
taking  the  inner  course  between  the  rock  and 
his  ship,  and  passed  him  by.  Then  was  he 
greatly  wroth  and  wept  for  rage ;  and  laying 
hold  of  Menoetes  he  cast  him  into  the  sea,  and 
himself  put  his  hand  to  the  helm  and  turned  it 
to  the  rock.  But  Menoetes,  being  an  old  man 
and  weighed  down  with  his  garments,  hardly 
climbed  upon  the  rock  and  sat  thereon.  Loud 
laughed  the  men  to  see  him  fall,  and  swim,  and 
vomit  the  salt  water  from  his  mouth.  But  when 
Mnestheus  with  the  Sea-Horse,  and  Sergestus 
with  the  Centaur,  saw  what  had  befallen,  they 
hoped  to  pass  the  Chimasra  in  the  race.  Eagerly 
strove  the  two  together,  and  Mnestheus,  seeing 
that  the  Centaur  was  yet  before  him  in  the  race, 
ran  among  his  men  as  they  rowed,  crying,  "  O 
my  friends  whom  I  chose  to  be  my  comrades, 
quit  ye  like  men,  even  as  ye  did  in  the  seas  of 
Africa  and  the  Ionian  waves.  The  first  place 
I  seek  not,  but  last  I  would  not  return."  And 
the  men  strove  with  all  their  might,  bending 
forward  to  the  stroke.     And  even  then  chance 


STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 


gave  them  that  which  they  desired.  For  the 
Centaur,  being  steered  too  close,  struck  on  a  jut- 
ting piece  of  the  rock,  and  the  oars  were  broken, 
and  the  prow  stuck  fast.  And  while  the  men, 
with  poles  and  the  like,  were  thrusting  her  forth, 
Mnestheus  with  the  Sea-Horse  had  gained  the 
open  sea.  And  first  he  overtakes  Gyas  in  the 
Chimgera,  and  vanquishes  it,  seeing  that  it  had 
lost  its  helmsman.  And  now  only  Cloanthus 
with  the  Scylla  remains,  and  upon  him  also  he 
presses  hard.  Then  did  all  the  people  cry  aloud, 
bidding  Mnestheus  make  good  speed  that  he 
might  take  the  first  place.  And  the  one  were 
loath  to  lose  that  which  they  had  gained,  and  the 
others  having  done  much  would  do  yet  more,  and 
would  give  their  lives  so  that  they  might  prevail. 
And  now,  perchance,  had  the  two  been  equal  for 
the  first  prize,  but  Cloanthus  stretched  forth  his 
hands  to  the  sea  and  prayed  to  the  Gods  that 
have  power  therein.  "  Gods  of  the  sea,  wherein 
I  hold  my  course,  help  me  now,  so  will  I  slay  a 
milk-white  bull  at  your  altars,  and  cast  the 
entrails  into  the  waves,  and  pour  clear  wine 
therewith."  And  all  the  band  of  the  Nereids 
heard  him,  and  the  virgin  Panopea  ;  and  Portum- 


THE  FUNERAL   GAMES  OF  ANCHISES.     103 

nus  himself  with  mighty  hand  drave  the  vessel 
forward  swifter  than  the  south  wind  or  an  arrow 
from  the  bow,  so  that  it  first  touched  the  shore. 
Then  a  herald  cried  aloud  that  Cloanthus  with 
the  Scylla  had  won  the  mastery  in  the  race, 
and  bound  a  garland  of  bay  about  his  head. 
Then  to  the  rowers  iEneas  gave  three  oxen, 
and  jars  of  wine,  and  a  talent  of  silver ;  and 
to  the  captains  gifts  for  themselves ;  to  the 
first  a  scarf  broidered  with  gold  with  a  double 
border  of  purple,  and  on  it  was  wrought 
the  royal  boy  Ganymede,  as  he  hunted  on 
Mount  Ida.  Eager  was  he,  and  as  one  that 
panted  in  the  chase ;  but  on  the  other  side  the 
eagle  bare  him  away,  and  the  old  men  that  had 
charge  of  him  stretched  out  their  hands  and  the 
dogs  barked  fiercely  to  the  sky.  And  to  the 
second  ^Eneas  gave  a  hauberk  of  chain-mail 
with  rings  of  gold,  which  he  had  himself  taken 
from  Demoleon  by  the  river  of  Simois.  Scarce 
could  his  two  servants  carry  it,  so  heavy  was  it ; 
yet  Demoleon  had  worn  it,  and  chased  the  men 
of  Troy,  running  at  full  speed.  And  the  third 
prize  was  two  cauldrons  of  bronze  and  cups  of 
silver  embossed.      But  when  all  had  departed 


104  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

rejoicing  with  their  gifts,  lo  !  Sergestus  came 
creeping  home  with  his  ship,  which  he  had  scarce 
won  from  the  rocks,  disabled,  with  one  tier  of 
rowers,  even  as  a  serpent  which  a  wheel  has 
maimed  upon  the  road,  which  with  his  fore  part 
lifts  himself  up  and  threatens,  but  his  hind  part 
trails  upon  the  ground.  So  came  Sergestus 
back  to  the  haven,  and  to  him  iEneas  gave  also 
his  reward,  seeing  that  he  had  brought  back  ship 
and  crew,  even  a  woman  of  Crete,  Pholoe  by 
name,  very  skilful  in  the  work  of  the  loom. 

After  this  iEneas  chose  him  out  a  level  space, 
with  woods  about  it,  and  having  sat  down  in 
the  midst  upon  a  throne,  caused  it  to  be  pro- 
claimed that  all  should  come  who  would  con- 
tend together  in  running.  And  many  came, 
both  men  of  Troy  and  Sicilians.  First  of  all 
Euryalus,  a  comely  youth,  and  Nisus  with  him 
(now  between  these  two  was  great  love)  ;  next, 
Diores,  of  the  house  of  Priam,  then  Salius  and 
Patron,  Greeks  both  of  them  ;  and  two  young 
hunters,  Helymus  and  Panopes,  who  were  of 
Sicily  and  of  the  court  of  Acestes,  and  many 
others  also.  Then  said  ^Eneas,  "  To  each  will 
t  give  two  javelins  of  Crete  and  an  axe  orna- 


THE  FUNERAL    GAMES  OF  ANCHISES.     105 

mented  with  silver,  so  that  none  may  depart 
without  a  gift.  And  the  first  three  shall  have 
crowns  of  olive.  Also  to  the  first  will  I  give 
a  horse  with  his  furniture,  and  to  the  second  a 
quiver  after  the  fashion  of  the  Amazons,  with 
arrows  of  Thrace,  and  to  fasten  it  a  belt  em- 
bossed with  gold,  and  a  jewel  for  a  clasp 
thereon.  And  let  the  third  take  this  helmet  of 
Greece,  and  be  content." 

Then,  when  they  had  ranged  them  in  a  line, 
and  the  sign  was  given,  they  ran.  And  for  a 
while  all  were  near  together.  Then  Nisus  out- 
ran the  rest ;  and  next  to  him  was  Salius,  but 
with  a  great  space  between,  and  the  third 
Euryalus  ;  and  after  him  Helymus,  and  Diores 
pressing  close  upon  him,  even  leaning  over  his 
shoulder  and  ready  to  outrun  him  had  the 
course  been  longer.  And  now  were  they  at  the 
very  end,  when  Nisus  slipped  in  the  blood  of  an 
ox  which  chanced  to  have  been  slain  in  the 
place,  and  kept  not  his  feet,  but  fell,  fouling 
himself  with  blood  and  mire.  Yet  did  he  not 
forget  Euryalus  whom  he  loved,  but  lifted  him- 
self from  the  ground  and  tripped  Salius,  so  that 
he  also  rolled  upon  the  earth.  So  came  Euryalus 


106  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

first  to  the  post,  and  Helymus  next,  and  Diores 
the  third.  But  Salius  made  loud  complaint  to 
all  the  assembly,  great  and  small,  that  he  had 
been  vanquished  by  fraud  ;  yet  the  people 
favoured  Euryalus,  for  he  was  fair  to  look  upon, 
and  fairness  ever  commendeth  virtue.  Also 
Diores  was  urgent,  who  else  had  not  won  the 
third  prize.  Then  said  Father  yEneus,  "  I 
change  not  the  order ;  as  each  reached  the 
goal  so  shall  each  take  his  prize.  Yet  may  I 
pity  him  who  suffered  wrongfully."  And  he 
gave  to  Salius  the  great  skin  of  an  African 
lion,  with  shaggy  hair  and  claws  covered  with 
gold.  Then  said  Nisus,  "  Yet,  if  thou  givest 
such  prizes  to  the  vanquished  and  hast  such 
pity  on  them  that  fall,  what  hast  thou  for  me  ? 
For  surely  I  had  won  the  first  reward  but  for 
the  ill  fortune  which  Salius  also  accuseth."  And 
he  showed  his  face  and  body  foul  with  mire. 
And  the  kindly  prince  laughed,  and  gave  him 
a  shield,  the  work  of  Didymaon. 


CHAPTER   XL 

THE    FUNERAL    GAMES    (CONTINUED). 

Then  did  iEneas  offer  rewards  for  boxers  :  for 
the  conqueror  an  ox  with  gilded  horns  ;  for  the 
vanquished  a  sword  and  helmet.  Straightway 
rose  up  the  huge  Dares,  who  only  had  dared  to 
stand  in  the  lists  against  Prince  Paris,  and  also 
at  the  funeral  games  of  Hector  had  vanquished 
Butes,  hurting  him  so  sore  that  he  died.  (This 
Butes  was  of  the  race  of  Amycus,  the  great 
boxer  whom  Pollux  slew,  and  no  man  had  stood 
before  him.)  But  when  they  saw  the  broad 
shoulders  of  the  man  and  his  might  there  was 
not  found  one  to  contend  with  him.  Therefore 
Dares  came  near  to  ^Eneas,  and,  laying  his  left 
hand  on  the  horns  of  the  ox,  spake,  saying,  "  If 
there  be  no  man  to  stand  against  me,  why  do  I 
tarry  ?  Bid  them  bring  the  prize."  Thereupon 
Acestes  rebuked  Entellus.who  sat  near  him  upon 
the  grass : "  Sufferest  thou  such  gifts  to  be  taken 

107 


io8  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

without  contest?  What  of  Eryx,  thy  master? 
What  of  thy  fame,  which  hath  gone  through  all 
the  land  of  Sicily,  and  the  spoils  that  hang  in 
thy  house  ?  " 

Then  said  Entellus,  "  Think  not,  Acestes, 
that  I  am  fearful,  or  careless  of  honour.  But  I 
am  old  :  my  strength  is  gone  from  me.  Were  I 
young,  as  that  boaster  yonder,  I  had  not  waited 
for  gifts  that  I  should  go  forth  to  the  battle." 

Then  cast  he  into  the  midst  two  gauntlets 
which  Eryx,  the  great  boxer,  had  been  wont  to 
wear.  And  all  men  marvelled  to  see  them,  so 
huge  were  they,  and  heavy  with  bull's  hide  and 
lead  and  iron.  And  Dares  stood  astonied,  nor 
would  stand  against  such  arms.  And  when 
iEneas  regarded  them  and  tried  their  weight, 
Entellus  spake,  saying,  "  What  had  the  man  of 
Troy  said  had  he  seen  the  gauntlets  of  Hercules 
himself,  and  the  dreadful  battle  that  befell  on  this 
very  shore  ?  These  gauntlets  Eryx,  who  was  my 
mother's  son,  was  wont  to  wear:  thou  seestthem 
stained  yet  with  blood  and  brains,  and  I  also  was 
wont  to  wear  them  in  the  days  of  my  youth.  But 
if  Dares  liketh  them  not,  be  it  so ;  I  put  them 
away,  and  he  shall  do  the  like  with  his." 


THE  FUNERAL    GAMES  OF  ANCHISES.     109 

Then  he  threw  his  garment  from  his  shoulders, 
showing  his  mighty  arms  and  sinews.  And 
^Eneas  gave  the  two  equal  gauntlets,  and 
they  stood  with  heads  thrown  back,  and  be- 
gan the  battle.  Dares  indeed  was  swifter  to 
move,  and  vigorous,  and  young  ;  and  Entellus 
was  huge  of  stature,  but  slow  and  scant  of 
breath.  Many  blows  they  aimed  at  each  other: 
many  times  one  smote  the  other  on  his  breast 
or  his  cheek,  but  struck  not  home.  And  ever 
Entellus  abode  in  the  same  place,  swaying  him- 
self hither  and  thither  with  watchful  eyes.  But 
Dares  was  as  one  who  besieges  a  city  or  a  fort 
on  the  hills,  and  tries  now  this  approach,  now 
that,  and  searches  out  all  the  place,  and  assails 
it  in  many  ways.  But  at  the  last  Entellus  lifted 
his  right  hand  and  dealt  a  mighty  blow,  which 
the  other,  foreseeing  it  as  it  fell,  avoided ;  so 
that  the  old  man  wasted  his  strength  in  air, 
and  fell  with  a  great  crash  to  the  earth,  even 
as  falls  a  pine  torn  up  by  the  roots  on  Mount 
Erymanthus  or  Mount  Ida.  Then  the  men 
of  Troy  and  the  men  of  Sicily  rose  up  from 
their  places  to  see  the  thing  ;  Acestes  also  ran 
forward  and  lifted    up  the  old  man  from  the 


no  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

earth  and  would  have  comforted  him.  But  he 
went  back  in  great  wrath  to  the  battle,  anger 
and  shame  stirring  him  up.  And  Dares  fled 
before  him  over  the  plain,  and  he  followed  him, 
smiting  him  now  with  the  right  hand,  now  with 
the  left,  and  his  blows  were  as  the  hail  that  rattles 
upon  the  roof.  But  ^Eneas  bade  him  stay  his 
anger,  and  spake  kindly  to  Dares,  bidding  him 
cease  from  the  battle.  "  Seest  thou  not  that 
this  day  the  victory  is  another's,  and  that  the 
Gods  are  against  thee  ?  Fight  not  against  the 
Gods."  Then  he  commanded  that  the  battle 
should  cease.  And  the  companions  of  Dares  led 
him  to  the  ships,  scarcely  dragging  his  legs,  and 
vomiting  thick  blood  from  his  mouth,  and  teeth 
in  the  blood.  Also  they  took  the  shield  and 
helmet  which  were  his  reward,  but  the  palm- 
branch  and  the  ox  they  left  to  Entellus.  Then 
said  the  conqueror,  "  See,  son  of  the  goddess, 
and  ye  men  of  Troy,  what  strength  dwelt  in 
this  body  while  I  was  yet  young,  and  from  what 
a  death  ye  have  saved  this  Dares."  Then  stood 
he  over  against  the  ox  and  smote  it  with  his 
gauntlet  between  the  horns.  And  it  fell  dead 
upon  the  earth.     And  Entellus  cried  aloud,  "O 


THE  FUNERAL    GAMES  OF  ANCHISES.     in 


Eryx,  I  offer  thee  this  life  for  the  life  of  Dares, 
being  indeed  the  better  for  the  worse.  And  I 
lay  aside  these  gauntlets  and  this  art." 

Next  iEneas  called  for  those  who  would 
shoot  with  the  bow,  setting  up  a  mast  from  the 
ship  of  Sergestus,  and  fastening  thereto  a  dove 
by  a  cord,  at  which  mark  were  all  to  shoot. 
Then  came  the  men  together  and  cast  lots, 
drawing  them  from  the  helmet.  And  first 
came  Hippocoon,  son  of  Hyrtacus ;  and  next  to 
him  Mnestheus;  and  third  Eurytion,  brother 
of  Pandarus,  who  broke  the  treaty  between  the 
men  of  Troy  and  the  Greeks,  shooting  his 
arrow  at  Menelaiis ;  but  the  lot  of  Acestes 
lingered  in  the  helmet  and  leapt  not  forth. 
Then  first  Hippocoon  drew  his  bow  and  smote 
the  mast  so  that  it  shook,  and  the  bird  fluttered 
his  wings  in  fear  ;  and  next  Mnestheus  shot  his 
arrow,  and  the  bird  he  touched  not,  but  the 
string  which  bound  it  he  cut ;  and  Eurytion  let 
fly,  calling  the  while  on  his  brother  Pandarus, 
the  mighty  archer,  to  help  him,  and  smote  the 
dove  as  she  flew  rejoicing  through  the  air,  so 
that  she  fell  to  the  earth  and  the  arrow  in  her 
body.     And  only  Acestes  was  left,  not  having 


STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 


whereat  he  should  aim ;  yet  shot  he  into  the 
air,  for  he  would  show  his  skill  and  the  might  of 
his  bow.  Then  lo  !  a  marvel  befell,  whereof  in 
after  days  men  knew  the  fulfilment ;  for  the 
arrow  burned  as  it  sped  through  the  air,  leaving 
a  line  of  fire,  till  it  was  altogether  consumed, 
even  as  a  star  that  shoots  across  the  sky  by 
night.  And  men  marvelled  to  see  it,  and 
prayed  to  the  Gods  that  it  might  be  well.  Then 
great  ^Eneas  refused  not  the  omen,  but  em- 
braced Acestes  and  gave  him  many  gifts,  say- 
ing, "Take  these  gifts,  my  father,  for  Jupiter 
willeth  that  thou  shouldst  have  especial  honour 
in  this  thing.  I  give  thee,  therefore,  this  bowl 
embossed  with  figures  of  men.  Old  Anchises 
had  it,  and  to  him  Cisseus,  who  was  the  father 
of  Queen  Hecuba,  gave  it."  Also  he  put  a 
crown  of  bay  upon  his  head.  Nor  did  the  good 
Eurytion  murmur,  though  he  had  slain  the 
bird  ;  the  others  also  had  their  gifts  and  were 
content. 

Not  even  now  was  the  assembly  dismissed, 
there  remaining  yet  another  sight  to  behold. 
For  Ascanius  and  the  youths  that  were  his 
companions    came  riding  on  horses,  and  each 


THE  FUNERAL   GAMES  OF  ANCHISES.     113 

had  a  wreath  about  his  head.  Each  also 
had  two  javelins  of  cornel  wood,  and  some  had 
quivers  on  their  shoulders,  and  each  a  collar 
of  gold  that  lay  on  the  top  of  his  breast.  Three 
companies  they  were,  and  to  each  a  leader  and 
twelve  that  followed.  And  one  of  the  leaders 
was  Priamus,  son  of  Polites,  called  by  the  name 
of  his  grandfather,  on  a  horse  that  was  black, 
with  pasterns  of  white  and  forehead  of  white  ; 
and  another  Atys,  whom  Ascanius  loved  ;  and 
third,  fairest  of  all  to  behold,  Ascanius,  on  a  horse 
of  Sidon,  which  Queen  Dido  had  given  him  ; 
but  to  the  rest  Acestes  had  given  horses  of 
Sicily. 

And  when  these  came  forth  there  was  much 
shouting  and  clapping  of  hands,  and  the  men 
of  Troy  rejoiced  to  see  the  lads,  so  like  were 
they  to  the  famous  men  their  fathers.  Then,  a 
signal  being  given,  the  companies  were  divided 
into  bands,  and  these  made  as  if  they  fought  a 
battle.  For  sometimes  they  would  fly,  and 
sometimes  would  pursue,  and  sometimes 
would  ride  altogether  this  way  or  that. 
Many  were  their  ways  and  movements,  even 
as  are  the  paths    of  the    Labyrinth   in  Crete. 

9 


H4  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

Swift  also  were  they  and  nimble,  even  as 
dolphins  which  sport  among  the  waves  in  the 
Carpathian  Sea  or  African.  This  custom  did 
Ascanius  teach  to  his  people  when  he  built  the 
city  of  Alba,  and  the  men  of  Alba  taught  it  to 
their  children  after  them,  and  mighty  Rome 
learnt  it  also,  and  kept  it  in  the  time  to  come. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE    BURNING   OF     THE     SHIPS THE     VOYAGE 

TO  ITALY. 

But  while  the  men  of  Troy  were  busy  with 
the  games,  Juno  prepared  mischief  against  them 
in  her  heart,  and  sent  down  Iris,  her  messenger, 
to  accomplish  it.  Now  the  women  sat  apart  on 
the  shore,  and  lifted  up  their  voices  and  bewailed 
the  old  man  Anchises.  But  when  they  looked 
upon  the  sea  they  lamented  for  themselves  that 
they  had  so  much  travel  to  accomplish,  for  they 
were  weary  of  the  sea,  and  would  fain  have  a 
city  to  dwell  in.  Which  when  Iris  perceived, 
laying  aside  the  semblance  of  a  goddess,  she 
took  upon  herself  the  form  of  Beroe\  the  wife 
of  Doryclus,  and  went  among  the  women  of 
Troy  and  spake,  saying,  "  O  unhappy,  that  ye 
were  not  dragged  to  death  by  the  hands  of  the 
Greeks  !  For  now  the  seventh  summer  is  come, 
and  yet  we  journey  over  many  lands  and  seas 

115 


n6  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

and  seek  this  Italy  which  ever  flies  before  us. 
Here  we  have  friends  and  kindred.  What  for- 
bids that  we  build  here  a  city  ?  Shall  I  never 
see  the  walls  of  another  Troy,  nor  find  Xanthus 
and  Simoi's,  rivers  of  Troy,  in  a  strange  land  ? 
Why  burn  we  not  these  accursed  ships  that 
carry  us  hither  and  thither?  I  saw  in  a  dream 
the  seeress  Cassandra,  and  she  seemed  to  put 
a  torch  in  my  hand,  and  to  say,  '  Here  seek 
ye  for  Troy  ;  here  is  your  home.'  And  lo ! 
here  are  altars  and  fire." 

Then  she  caught  a  brand  from  an  altar,  and 
cast  it  far  from  her  at  the  ships.  Then  cried 
out  Pyrgo,  who  had  been  nurse  to  the  sons  of 
Priam,  "  O  mothers  of  Troy,  this  is  not  Beroe" 
whom  ye  see.  Mark  ye  her  shining  eyes,  and 
her  voice,  and  her  gait.  But  as  for  Beroe  I  left 
her  long  since,  sick  and  sore  vexed  that  she  was 
absent  this  day  from  our  solemnity." 

And  for  awhile  the  women  stood  in  doubt  re- 
garding the  ships,  loving  indeed  the  land  where- 
on they  stood,  yet  knowing  that  the  Fates  called 
them  to  another.  But  when  the  goddess  rose  on 
her  wings,  and  passed  up  by  the  path  of  the  rain- 
bow in  the  heavens,  then  a  great  fury  fell  upon 


THE  BURNING   OF    THE  SHIPS,    ETC.      117 


them,  so  that  they  caught  brands  from  the  altars 
and  set  fire  to  the  ships.  And  straightway  the 
flames  ran  over  the  benches  and  the  oars  and 
the  stems  of  painted  pine.  Then  ran  Eumelus 
to  the  men  of  Troy  where  they  sat  at  the  games, 
and  told  them  how  the  ships  were  burning ; 
also  they  themselves  saw  the  black  cloud  of 
smoke  rolling1  before  the  wind.  And  Ascanius,  in 
the  midst  of  his  horsemanship,  heard  the  matter 
and  sped  to  the  camp.  And  being  come  he 
cried  aloud,  "What  madness  is  this?  Ye  burn 
not  the  camp  of  the  Greeks,  ye  burn  our  own 
hopes.  Lo  !  I  am  your  Ascanius."  And  he  threw 
his  helmet  on  the  ground,  that  they  should  know 
him.  Also  /Eneas  and  the  men  of  Troy  made 
haste  to  come  up.  Then  were  the  women 
ashamed  of  that  which  they  had  done,  and 
would  have  hidden  themselves,  their  fury  being 
past.  But  not  the  more  did  the  flame  cease  to 
aevour  the  ships  ;  and  they  who  would  have 
quenched  the  fire  availed  nothing.  Then  the 
pious  iEneas  rent  his  garments  and  prayed  to 
the  Gods,  saying,  "  O  Jupiter,  if  thou  dost  not 
altogether  hate  us,  save  our  ships  from  the  fire, 
and  suffer  us  not  to  perish  utterly  ;  but  if  thou 


STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL 


art  angry,  and  so  it  seem  good  to  thee,  slay  me 
with  thy  thunderbolt." 

And  even  as  he  spake  there  came  up  a  great 
storm  from  the  south,  with  thunder  and  lightning 
and  a  great  rain,  and  the  fire  was  quenched, 
but  of  the  ships  four  were  burnt  altogether. 

Now  ^Eneas  was  sore  troubled  at  these  things, 
and  doubted  much  whether  he  should  still  abide 
in  the  land  of  Sicily  nor  heed  the  Fates,  or  should 
yet  follow  after  Italy.  Then  the  old  man, 
Nautes,  the  priest  of  Pallas,  in  whom  more  than 
in  all  men  besides  dwelt  the  wisdom  of  the 
goddess,  spake  to  him,  saying,  "  Son  of  the 
goddess,  it  must  needs  be  that  we  go  whither 
the  Gods  call  us.  Yet  mayest  thou  devise 
something  for  this  present  necessity,  taking 
counsel  with  King  Acestes,  seeing  that  he  also 
is  a  son  of  Troy.  For  now,  four  ships  being 
burned,  the  people  are  over  many  for  such  as  are 
left  to  us ;  some  also  faint  at  this  thing  that 
we  purpose  ;  also  there  are  old  men  and  women 
wearied  of  the  sea,  and  the  weak  and  the  fearful. 
Suffer,  then,  that  he  take  these  to  himself  to  be 
his  people,  and  build  a  city  for  them,  and  call 
it  Acesta,  after  his  own  name." 


THE  BURNING   OF   THE  SHIPS,   ETC.       119 

And  while  yEneas  thought  on  these  things  he 
slept.  And  lo  !  in  his  dream  there  came  to  him 
his  father,  Anchises,  and  spake,  saying,  "  I  come, 
my  son,  at  the  bidding  of  Jupiter.  Take  thou 
heed  to  the  counsel  which  Nautes  giveth  thee, 
for  it  is  good.  Let  the  chosen  youth  of  thy 
people  go  with  thee,  for  thou  hast  a  mighty 
people  and  a  fierce  in  Latium  with  whom  to  do 
battle.  But  first  must  thou  seek  the  dwellings 
of  the  dead  and  hold  converse  with  me.  For 
indeed  I  dwell  not  in  Tartarus,  with  the  evil- 
doers, but  in  Elysium,  with  the  companies  of 
the  blessed.  And  thither  shall  the  Sibyl  guide 
thee,  and  thou  shalt  learn  all  that  shall  befall 
thee  and  thy  people  after  this.  And  now  fare- 
well, for  the  morning  cometh,  and  I  must  de- 
part." 

And  the  spirit  of  Anchises  vanished  out  of 
his  sight,  even  as  smoke  into  the  air,  nor  heeded 
him  when  he  would  have  stayed  it ;  and  /Eneas 
arose  and  did  sacrifice  to  the  household  gods  and 
to  Vesta.  Then  he  took  counsel  with  his  com- 
panions and  with  Acestes.  And  Acestes  heark- 
ened to  his  words.  And  they  separated  such 
as  would    tarry   in   the    place,  both   men    and 


STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 


women  ;  but  the  others,  few  in  number  indeed, 
but  strong  and  of  a  good  courage,  made  ready 
the  ships  to  depart.  And  in  the  mean  time 
iEneas  marked  the  boundaries  of  the  city  with 
a  ploughshare,  and  Acestes  set  it  in  order  with 
laws  and  government.  Also  on  the  mountain 
of  Eryx  they  built  a  temple  to  Venus,  and  they 
consecrated  a  grove  and  a  priest  at  the  tomb  of 
Anchises. 

Then  for  nine  days  they  feasted ;  and  after, 
for  it  was  fine  weather,  and  the  south  wind 
blew  softly,  they  made  ready  to  sail.  There 
was  then  a  great  weeping  and  embracing  on  the 
shore  ;  and  now  were  all  fain  to  go,  willing  not 
to  be  parted  from  kindred  and  friends.  But 
iEneas  comforted  them,  and,  having  sacrificed 
three  calves  to  Eryx  and  a  lamb  to  the  Storms, 
so  departed. 

And  Venus  spake  to  Neptune,  saying,  "  It 
troubleth  me  sore  that  Juno  will  not  lay  aside 
her  wrath.  For  the  city  of  Troy  she  overthrew, 
and,  it  being  overthrown,  she  pursueth  them 
that  are  left  with  hatred  that  cannot  be  appeased  ; 
and  now  I  fear  me  much  what  she  may  do,  for  she 
stirred  up  ^Eolus  that  he  loosed  all  the  winds 


THE  BURNING   OF    THE  SHIPS,    ETC.       121 


against  them ;  and  even  now  she  put  into  the 
hearts  of  the  women  this  great  madness  that 
they  should  burn  the  ships.  Wherefore  I 
pray  thee  that  thou  shouldst  give  them  now 
a  safe  voyage  to  Italy."  And  the  King  of  the 
sea  made  answer,  "  Thou  doest  well  to  put  thy 
trust  in  my  realms  and  me.  For  both  have  I 
stilled  the  madness  of  the  sea  and  also  on  the 
land  have  I  taken  thought  for  thy  iEneas. 
Mindest  thou  not  the  day  when  Achilles  pursued 
the  men  of  Troy  to  their  city,  and  filled  the 
rivers  with  dead  bodies,  so  that  Xanthus  could 
not  make  his  way  to  the  sea,  and  how  ^-Eneas 
would  have  met  him  in  battle,  being  weaker, 
and  I  snatched  him  away  in  a  cloud,  yea  though 
I  desired  from  my  heart  to  overthrow  the  city 
of  Troy,  even  the  works  of  my  own  hands  ? 
Fear  not,  therefore  :  he  shall  come  safe  to  the 
haven  of  Avernus.  One  only  of  his  company 
must  perish,  even  one  life  for  many." 

Then  did  he  pass  over  the  sea  in  his  chariot, 
and  there  was  a  great  calm  as  he  went,  and  the 
clouds  flew  from  the  sky,  and  the  great  beasts 
of  the  sea  went  with  him ;  also  the  gods  and 
goddesses  of  the  sea,  as  Glaucus  and  Palaemon, 


122  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

and  the  company  of  the  Tritons  and  Thetis  and 
the  virgin  Panopea. 

And  the  men  of  Troy  loosed  the  sheets,  and 
spread  all  the  sails  to  the  wind ;  and  the  fore- 
most of  the  fleet  was  the  ship  of  ^Eneas, 
Palinurus  being  the  helmsman.  And  in  the 
night  Sleep  came  down  from  the  sky,  and 
taking  the  shape  of  Phorbas,  spake  to  Palin- 
urus, saying,  "  All  things  are  quiet ;  rest 
awhile  :  it  is  the  hour  of  rest.  I  will  take  thy 
office  for  thee."  But  Palinurus,  scarce  lifting 
his  eyes,  made  answer  :  "  Dost  thou  bid  me 
trust  calm  seas  and  gentle  winds  ?  Not  so. 
Too  often  have  I  been  deceived."  Nor  did  he 
loose  his  hold  upon  the  rudder,  or  take  his 
eyes  from  the  stars.  Then  did  Sleep  wave 
over  him  a  bough  that  had  been  dipped  in  the 
water  of  Lethe  ;  and  when  he  slept,  as  he  must 
needs  do,  thrust  him  into  the  sea  and  a  portion 
of  the  rudder  with  him  ;  and  he  fell,  calling 
vainly  for  help. 

And  when  the  ships  were  close  to  the  rocks 
of  the  Sirens,  which  in  old  time  were  white 
with  bones  of  men,  but  now  with  spray  and 
broken  waves,  iEneas  perceived  that  the  ship 


THE  BURNING  OF   THE  SHIPS,   ETC.        123 

strayed  from  its  course.  For  indeed,  seeing  that 
the  helmsman  had  perished,  the  winds  and  the 
waves  had  their  will  of  it.  Then  did  he  lay  hold 
on  the  rudder  himself,  but  it  grieved  him  much 
that  such  mischance  had  befallen  his  friend. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE    SIBYL. 

So  JEneas  came  to  the  land  of  Italy,  nigh  unto 
Cumae,  which  was  the  dwelling-place  of  the 
Sibyl.  And  the  men  turned  the  forepart  of  the 
ships  to  the  sea,  and  made  them  fast  with 
anchors.  Then  they  leapt  forth  upon  the 
shore,  and  kindled  a  fire ;  and  some  cut  wood 
in  the  forest,  or  fetched  water  from  the  stream. 
But  jEneas  went  up  to  the  great  cave  of  the 
Sibyl,  where,  by  the  inspiration  of  Apollo,  she 
foretelleth  things  to  come. 

Now  the  temple  was  a  marvellous  place  to 
look  upon.  For  Daedalus,  when  he  fled  from 
Minos,  King  of  Crete,  flying  through  the  air 
upon  wings,  came  northwards  to  the  land  of 
Cumae,  and  tarried  there.  Also  he  dedicated 
his  wings  in  the  temple.  On  the  doors  thereof 
was  set  forth,  graven  in  stone,  the  death  of 
Androgeos,  and  the  men  of  Attica  choosing  by 


THE  SIBYL.  125 


lot  seven  of  their  children  who  should  be  given 
as  a  ransom  yearly ;  and,  rising  from  the  sea 
upon  the  other  side,  the  land  of  Crete.  Like- 
wise the  Labyrinth  was  there  and  its  winding 
ways  ;  but  Icarus  they  saw  not,  for  when  his 
father  would  have  wrought  the  manner  of  his 
death  in  gold  his  hands  failed  him:  twice  he 
strove  and  twice  they  failed.  And  when 
.Tihieas  would  have  looked  further,  the  priestess 
said,  "  Linger  not  with  these  things,  but  slay 
forthwith  seven  bullocks  from  the  herd,  and 
seven  sheep  duly  chosen  out  of  the  flock." 
And  when  they  came  to  the  cave — now  there 
are  a  hundred  doors,  and  a  voice  cometh  forth 
from  each — the  Sibyl  cried, "  It  is  time.  Lo  ! 
the  god,  the  god ! "  And  even  as  she  spake 
her  look  was  changed  and  the  colour  of  her 
face  ;  also  her  hair  was  loosened,  and  her  breast 
panted,  and  she  waxed  greater  than  is  the 
stature  of  a  man.  Then  she  cried,  "  Delayest 
thou  to  pray,  ^Eneas  of  Troy  ?  delayest  thou  ? 
for  the  doors  open  not  but  to  prayer."  Nor 
said  she  more.  Then  iEneas  prayed,  saying, 
"O  Phoebus,  who  didst  always  pity  the  sorrows 
of  Troy,  and  didst  guide  the  arrow  of  Paris  that 


126  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

it  slew  the  great  Achilles,  I  have  followed  thy 
bidding,  journeying  over  many  lands,  and  now 
I  lay  hold  on  this  shore  of  Italy,  which  ever 
seemed  to  fly  before  me.  Grant  thou  that  our 
ill  fortune  follow  us  no  more.  And  all  ye  Gods 
and  Goddesses  who  loved  not  Troy,  be  merciful 
to  us.  And  thou,  O  Prophetess,  give,  if  it  may 
be,  such  answer  as  I  would  hear.  So  will  I 
and  my  people  honour  thee  for  ever.  And 
write  it  not,  I  pray  thee,  upon  leaves,  lest  the 
winds  carry  them  away,  but  speak  with  thy 
voice." 

And  for  awhile  the  prophetess  strove  against 
the  spirit ;  but  at  the  last  it  mastered  her,  and 
the  doors  flew  open,  and  she  spake,  saying,  "  The 
perils  of  the  sea  thou  hast  escaped,  but  there 
await  thee  yet  worse  perils  upon  the  land.  The 
men  of  Troy  shall  come  to  the  kingdom  of 
Lavinium.  Fear  not  for  that ;  yet  will  they  fain 
not  have  come.  I  see  battles,  and  the  Tiber 
loaming  with  blood,  and  a  new  Xanthus  and 
Simoi's,  and  another  Achilles,  himself  also 
goddess-born.  Juno  also  shall  be  ever  against 
thee.  And  thou  shalt  be  a  suppliant  to  many 
cities.     And  the  cause  of  all  these  woes  shall  be 


THE  SIBYL.  127 

again  a  woman.  Only  yield  not  thou,  but  go 
ever  more  boldly  when  occasion  shall  serve. 
Little  thinkest  thou  that  thy  first  succour  shall 
be  from  a  city  of  the  Greeks." 

And  when  she  had  ended  these  words, 
iEneas  made  answer :  "  O  Lady,  no  toil  or 
peril  shall  take  me  unawares ;  for  I  have  thought 
over  all  things  in  my  heart.  But  one  thing  I 
ask  of  thee.  Here  is  the  door  of  the  dwellings 
of  the  dead.  Fain  would  I  pass  thereby,  that 
I  may  visit  my  father.  I  carried  him  on  my 
shoulders  out  of  the  fires  of  Troy,  and  with  me 
he  endured  many  things  by  land  and  sea,  more 
than  befitted  his  old  age.  Likewise  he  bade  me 
ask  this  boon  of  thee.  Do  thou  therefore  pity 
both  father  and  son,  for  thou  hast  the  power,  if 
only  thou  wilt.  Did  not  Orpheus  bring  back 
his  wife  from  the  dead,  having  his  harp  only  ? 
Also  Pollux  goeth  many  times  this  same  path, 
redeeming  his  brother  from  death.  And  why 
should  I  tell  of  Theseus  and  Hercules  ?  And  I 
also  am  of  the  lineage  of  Jupiter." 

Then  the  Sibyl  spake,  saying, "  Son  of  Anchi- 
ses,  it  is  easy  to  go  down  to  hell.  The  door  is 
open  day  and  night.     But  to  return,  and  struggle 


128  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

to  the  upper  air,  that  is  the  labour.  Few  only 
have  done  it,  and  these  of  the  lineage  of  the 
Gods  and  dear  to  Jupiter.  Yet  if  thou  wilt 
attempt  it,  hearken  unto  me.  There  lieth  hid 
in  the  forest  a  bough  of  gold  which  is  sacred  to 
the  Queen  of  hell.  Nor  may  any  man  go  on  this 
journey  till  he  have  plucked  it,  for  the  Queen  will 
have  it  as  a  gift  for  herself.  And  when  the 
bough  is  plucked,  there  ever  groweth  another ; 
and  if  it  be  the  pleasure  of  the  Gods  that  thou 
go,  it  will  yield  to  thy  hand.  But  know  that 
one  of  thy  companions  lieth  dead  upon  the 
shore.  First  must  thou  bury  him,  and  after 
offer  due  sacrifice,  even  black  sheep.  So  shalt 
thou  approach  the  dwellings  of  the  dead." 

Then  iEneas  departed  from  the  cave,  and 
Achates  went  with  him,  and  much  they  won- 
dered who  it  might  be  that  was  dead.  And 
when  they  came  to  the  shore,  lo !  Misenus  lay 
there,  than  whom  no  man  was  more  skilful  to 
call  men  to  battle  with  the  voice  of  the  trumpet. 
Hector's  companion  he  had  been  in  old  time,  and 
then  followed  iEneas.  And  now,  blowing  his 
trumpet  on  the  shore,  he  had  challenged  the 
gods  of  the  sea  to  compare  with  him  ;  wherefore 


THE  SIBYL.  129 

a  Triton  caught  him  and  plunged  him  into  the 
sea,  so  that  he  died.  Then  did  iEneas  and  his 
companions  prepare  for  the  burial,  cutting  ilex 
and  oak  and  mountain-ash  from  the  wood.  But 
when  yEneas  beheld  the  forest,  how  vast  it  was, 
he  said,  "  Now  may  the  Gods  grant  that  in  this 
great  forest  the  bough  of  gold  discover  itself." 
And  as  he  spake,  lo  !  two  doves  flew  before 
his  face,  and  settled  on  the  grass,  and  he  knew 
them  to  be  the  birds  of  his  mother,  and  cried, 
saying,  "  Guide  me  now  to  the  bough  of  gold, 
and  thou  my  mother  help  me  as  before. "  Then 
the  birds  flew  so  that  he  could  still  see  them 
with  his  eyes,  and  he  followed  after  them.  But 
when  they  came  to  the  mouth  of  Avernus,  they 
sat  both  of  them  on  the  tree.  And  lo  !  the 
bough  of  gold  glittered  among  the  branches  and 
rustled  in  the  wind.  Right  gladly  did  JEneas 
break  it  off,  and  carry  it  to  the  dwelling  of  the 
Sibyl. 

In  the  mean  time  the  men  of  Troy  made  a 
great  burial  for  Misenus  on  the  shore,  building 
a  pile  of  wood,  and  washing  and  anointing  the 
body.  Also  they  laid  the  body  on  a  bier,  and 
on  it  the  garments  which  he  had  worn  being 


S30  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

yet  alive.  Then  others,  with  faces  turned  away, 
held  a  torch  to  the  wood,  whereon  also  were 
burnt  incense  and  offerings  of  oil.  And  when 
the  burning  was  ended  they  quenched  the  ashes 
with  wine.  And  Corynseus  gathered  the  bones 
into  an  urn  of  bronze,  and  purified  the  people- 
sprinkling  them  with  water  with  a  bough  of 
an  olive-tree.  Then  iEneas  made  a  great 
mound,  and  put  thereon  the  trumpet  of  the 
man  and  his  bow ;  and  the  mountain  is  called 
Misenus,  after  him,  to  this  day. 

But  when  the  burial  was  ended  he  did  as  the 
Sibyl  had  commanded.  A  great  cavern  there 
is,  from  which  cometh  so  evil  a  stench  that  no 
bird  may  fly  across.  There  they  brought  four 
black  oxen,  and  the  priestess  poured  wine  upon 
their  heads  and  cut  hairs  from  between  the 
horns.  And  when  they  had  burned  these  they 
slew  the  oxen,  holding  dishes  for  the  blood. 
And  ^Eneas  offered  a  black  lamb  to  the  Furies 
and  a  barren  heifer  to  the  Queen  of  hell, 
smiting  them  with  his  sword.  Then  they  burned 
the  entrails  with  fire,  pouring  oil  upon  them. 
Then  did  the  ground  give  a  hollow  sound 
beneath  them,  and    the   dogs  howled,  for  the 


THE  SIBYL.  131 


goddess  was  at  hand.  And  the  priestess  cried, 
■  Go  ye  who  may  not  take  part  in  this  matter. 
And  thou,  ^Eneas,  draw  thy  sword  from  its 
sheath  and  follow.  Now  hast  thou  need  of  all 
thy  strength  and  courage."  Then  she  plunged 
into  the  cave,  and  iEneas  went  with  her. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

THE  DWELLINGS    OF    THE    DEAD. 

So  they  went  together  through  the  land  of 
shadows,  like  unto  men  who  walk  through  a 
wood  in  a  doubtful  light,  when  the  moon  indeed 
hath  risen,  but  there  are  clouds  over  the  sky. 
And  first  they  came  to  where,  in  front  of  the 
gates  of  hell,  dwell  Sorrow  and  Remorse,  and 
pale  Disease  and  Fear,  and  Hunger  thattempteth 
men  to  sin,  and  Want,  and  Death,  and  Toil,  and 
Slumber,  that  is  Death's  kinsman,  and  deadly 
War ;  also  they  saw  the  chambers  of  the  Furies, 
and  Discord,  whose  hair  is  of  snakes  that  drip 
with  blood.  And  in  this  region  there  is  an  ancient 
elm,  in  the  boughs  whereof  dwell  all  manner  of 
dreams,  and  shapes  of  evil  monsters,  as  many  as 
have  been,  such  as  were  the  Centaurs,  half  man, 
half  horse,  and  Briareus  with  the  hundred  hands, 
and  others  also.  These  ^Eneas,  when  he  saw 
them,  sought  so  slay,  rushing  upon  them  with 


THE  DWELLINGS  OF   THE  DEAD.  133 

the  sword,  but  his  guide  warned  him  that  they 
were  shadows  only. 

After  this  they  came  to  the  river  of  hell,  where- 
on plies  the  Boatman  Charon.  A  long  white 
beard  hath  he  and  unkempt ;  and  his  eyes  are 
fixed  in  a  fiery  stare,  and  a  scarf  is  knotted  upon 
his  shoulder,  as  is  a  pilot's  wont.  An  old  man  he 
seemeth  to  be,  but  hale  and  ruddy.  Now  there 
was  ever  rushing  to  the  bank  a  great  crowd,  wives 
and  mothers,  and  valiant  men  of  war,  boys,  and 
girls  dead  before  they  were  given  in  marriage, 
and  young  men  laid  on  the  funeral  pile  before 
their  parents'  eyes.  Thick  they  were  as  the  leaves 
that  fall  to  the  earth  at  the  first  frost  of  autumn,  or 
as  the  swallows,  when  they  gather  themselves  to- 
gether, making  ready  to  fly  across  the  sea  to  the 
lands  of  the  sun.  And  of  these  Charon  would 
take  some  into  his  boat ;  but  others  he  would 
forbid,  and  drive  from  the  shore.  This  when 
/■Eneas  saw,  he  marvelled,  and  said,  "  O  Lady, 
what  meaneth  this  concourse  at  the  river  ? 
What  seek  these  souls  ?  Why  be  some  driven 
from  the  bank  and  some  ferried  across  ? " 

And  the  Sibyl  made  answer :  "  This  river 
that  thou  seest  is  the  Styx,  by  which  the  Gods 


134  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

in  heaven  swear,  and  fear  to  break  their  oath. 
Those  whom  thou  seest  to  be  driven  from  the 
bank  are  such  as  have  lacked  burial,  but  those 
ivho  are  ferried  across  have  been  buried  duly ; 
for  none  pass  this  stream  till  their  bodies  have 
been  laid  in  the  grave,  otherwise  they  wander 
for  a  hundred  years,  and  so  at  last  may  cross 
over." 

Much  did  iEneas  pity  their  ill  fortune,  and  the 
more  when  he  beheld  Orontes  and  his  Lycians 
whom  the  sea  had  swallowed  up  alive  before 
his  eyes.  Here  likewise  there  met  him  his  pilot 
Palinurus,  to  whom,  when  he  knew  him,  for  in- 
deed he  scarce  could  see  him  in  the  darkness,  he 
said,  "  What  god  took  thee  from  us  and  drowned 
thee  in  the  sea  ?  Surely,  in  this  one  matter,  Apol- 
lo hath  deceived  me,  saying  that  thou  shouldst 
escape  the  sea  and  come  to  the  land  of  Italy." 

Then  answered  Palinurus,  "Not  so,  great 
iEneas.  For  indeed  to  the  land  of  Italy  I 
came.  Three  nights  the  south  wind  carried 
me  over  the  sea,  and  on  the  fourth  day  I  saw 
the  land  of  Italy  from  the  top  of  a  wave.  And 
when  I  swam  to  the  shore,  and  was  now  cling- 
ing to  the  rocks,  my  garments  being  heavy  with 


THE  DWELLINGS  OF   THE  DEAD.  13s 

water,  the  savage  people  came  upon  me,  and 
took  me  for  a  prey,  and  slew  me.  And  now  the 
winds  and  waves  bear  me  about  as  they  will 
Wherefore  I  pray  thee,  by  thy  father,  and  lulus, 
the  hope  of  thy  house,  that  thou  deliver  me 
from  these  woes.  Go,  therefore,  I  beseech  thee, 
to  the  haven  of  Velia,  and  cast  earth  upon  me 
for  burial ;  or  give  me  now  thy  hand,  and  take 
me  with  thee  across  this  river." 

Then  said  the  priestess, "  O  Palinurus,  what 
madness  is  this  ?  Wilt  thou  without  due  burial 
cross  the  river,  and  look  upon  the  awful  faces 
of  the  Furies  ?  Think  not  that  the  Fates  can 
be  changed  by  prayers.  Yet  hear  this,  and  be 
comforted.  They  that  slew  thee,  being  sore 
troubled  by  many  plagues,  shall  make  due 
expiation  to  thee,  and  build  a  tomb,  and  make 
offerings  thereon  year  by  year  ;  and  the  place 
where  they  slew  thee  shall  be  called  after  thy 
name." 

Then  he  took  comfort  and  departed.  But 
when  they  came  near  to  the  river,  the  Boatman 
beheld  them,  and  cried,  "  Stay  thou,  whoever 
thou  art,  that  comest  armed  to  this  river,  and  tell 
me   what   thou   seekest.     This  is   the  land  of 


136  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

Shadows,  of  Sleep,  and  of  Night.  The  living  may 
not  be  ferried  in  this  boat.  An  evil  day  it  was 
when  I  carried  Hercules,  and  Theseus,  and 
Pirithoiis,  though  they  were  children  of  the 
Gods.  For  Hercules  chained  the  Watch-dog 
of  hell,  and  dragged  him  trembling  from  his 
master's  seat.  And  Theseus  and  his  friend 
sought  to  carry  away  the  Queen  even  from 
the  chamber  of  her  husband." 

Then  the  Sibyl  made  answer :  "  Be  not 
troubled.  We  come  not  hither  with  evil 
thoughts.  Let  the  Watch-dog  of  hell  make  the 
pale  ghosts  afraid  ;  let  your  Queen  abide  in  her 
husband's  palace ;  we  will  not  harm  them. 
^Eneas  of  Troy  cometh  down  to  hell  that  he 
may  speak  with  his  father.  And  if  thou  takest 
no  account  of  such  piety,  yet  thou  wilt  know 
this  token." 

And  she  showed  him  the  bough  of  gold. 
And  when  he  saw  it  he  laid  aside  his  anger, 
rejoicing  to  behold,  now  after  many  years,  the 
marvellous  gift.  Then  he  brought  near  his  boat 
to  the  bank,  and  drave  out  the  souls  that  were 
therein ;  and  took  on  board  iEneas  and  the 
priestess.     Much  did  it  groan  with  the  weight, 


THE  DWELLINGS  OF   THE  DEAD.  137 

and  the  water  poured  apace  through  the  seams 
thereof.     Yet  did  they  come  safe  across. 

Then  they  saw  Cerberus,  the  Watch-dog,  in 
his  cave.  And  to  him  the  Sibyl  gave  a  cake  of 
honey  and  poppy-seed,  causing  sleep.  And  this 
he  swallowed,  opening  wide  his  three  ravenous 
mouths,  and  straightway  stretched  himself  out 
asleep  across  the  cave. 

After  this  they  heard  a  great  wailing  of  infants, 
even  the  voices  of  such  as  are  taken  away  before 
they  have  had  lot  or  part  in  life.  And  near  to 
these  were  such  as  have  died  by  false  accusa- 
tion ;  yet  lack  they  not  justice,  for  Minos  trieth 
their  cause.  And  yet  beyond,  they  that,  being 
guiltless,  have  laid  hands  upon  themselves. 
Fain  would  they  now  endure  hardships,  being 
yet  alive,  but  may  not,  for  the  river  keeps  them 
in  with  his  unlovely  stream  as  in  a  prison. 
Not  far  from  these  are  the  Mourning  Fields, 
where  dwell  the  souls  of  those  that  have  died  of 
love,  as  Procris,  whom  Cephalus  slew  in  error, 
and  Laodamia,  who  died  of  grief  for  her  hus- 
band. And  among  these  was  Dido,  fresh  from 
the  wound  wherewith  she  slew  herself.  And 
when    ^Eneas   saw    her    darkly   through    the 


138  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

shadows,  even  as  one  who  sees,  or  thinketh  that 
he  sees,  the  new  moon  lately  risen,  he  wept, 
and  said,"  O  Dido,  it  was  truth,  then,  that  they 
told  me,  saying  that  thou  hadst  slain  thyself 
with  the  sword.  Tell  me,  was  I  the  cause  of 
thy  death  ?  Loath  was  I,  O  Queen — I  swear  it 
by  all  that  is  most  holy  in  heaven  or  hell — to 
leave  thy  land.  But  the  Gods,  at  whose  bidding 
I  come  hither  this  day,  constrained  me  ;  nor  did 
I  think  that  thou  wouldst  take  such  sorrow 
from  my  departure.  But  stay  ;  depart  not ;  for 
never  again  may  I  speak  to  thee  but  this 
once  only." 

So  he  spake,  and  would  fain  have  appeased 
her  wrath.  But  she  cast  her  eyes  to  the  ground, 
and  her  heart  was  hard  against  him,  even  as  a 
rock.  And  she  departed  into  a  grove  that  was 
hard  by,  wherein  was  her  first  husband,  Sichseus,. 
who  loved  her  even  as  he  was  loved.  After  this 
they  came  to  the  land  where  the  heroes  dwell. 
And  there  they  saw  Tydeus,  who  died  before 
Thebes ;  and  Adrastus,  and  also  many  men  of 
Troy,  as  the  three  sons  of  Antenor,  and  Idseus,. 
who  was  the  armour-bearer  of  King  Priam,  and 
bare  the  arms  and  drave  the  chariot  yet.     All 


THE  DWELLINGS  OF   THE  DEAD.  139 


these  gathered  about  him,  and  would  fain  know 
wherefore  he  had  come.  But  when  the  hosts 
of  Agamemnon  saw  his  shining  arms  through 
the  darkness,  they  fled,  as  in  old  days  they  had 
fled  to  the  ships  ;  and  some  would  have  cried 
aloud,  but  could  not,  so  thin  are  the  voices  of 
the  dead. 

Among  these  he  saw  Deiphobus,  son  of 
Priam.  Cruelly  mangled  was  he,  for  his  hands 
had  been  cut  off,  and  his  ears  and  his  nostrils 
likewise.  Scarce  did  iEneas  know  him,  and 
he  himself  in  shame  would  have  hidden  his 
wounds  ;  but  the  son  of  Anchises  spake  to  him, 
saying,  "  Who  hath  dealt  so  foully  with  thee, 
great  Deiphobus  ?  Men  told  me  that  on  the 
last  night  of  Troy  thou  didst  fall  dead  on  a 
heap  of  Greeks  whom  thou  hadst  slain.  Where- 
fore I  built  thee  a  tomb  by  the  sea,  and  thrice 
called  aloud  thy  name.  But  thee  I  found  not, 
that  I  might  lay  thee  therein." 

Then  Deiphobus  made  answer :  "  Thou  hast 
left  nothing  undone,  but  hast  paid  me  all  due 
honour.  But  my  ill  fate  and  the  accursed  wicked- 
ness of  the  Spartan  woman  have  destroyed  me. 
How  we  spent  that  last  night  in  idle  rejoicings 


i4o  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

thou  knowest.  And  she,  while  the  women  of  Troy 
danced  before  the  Gods,  stood  holding  a  torch 
on  the  citadel,  as  though  she  were  their  leader, 
yet  in  truth  she  called  therewith  the  Greeks 
from  Tenedos.  But  I  lay  overcome  with 
weariness  in  my  chamber.  Then  did  she,  a 
noble  wife,  forsooth !  take  all  the  arms  out  of 
the  house,  and  my  trusty  sword  also  from  under 
my  head;  and  after  brought  thereunto  Mene- 
lalis,  so  hoping  to  do  away  her  sin  against  him  ; 
and  Ulysses  also,  always  ready  with  evil  counsels- 
What  need  of  more  ?  May  the  Gods  do  so 
and  more  also  to  them.  But  tell  me  why  hast 
thou  come  hither  ?  " 

And  it  was  now  past  noonday,  and  the  two 
had  spent  in  talk  all  the  allotted  time.  There- 
fore the  Sibyl  spake  :  "  Night  cometh,  iEneas, 
and  we  waste  the  day  in  tears.  Lo !  here  are 
two  roads.  This  on  the  right  hand  leadeth  to 
the  palace  of  Pluto  and  to  the  Elysian  plains  ; 
and  that  on  the  left  to  Tartarus,  the  abode  of 
the  wicked."  And  Deiphobus  answered  :  "  Be 
not  wroth,  great  priestess  ;  I  depart  to  my  own 
place.   Do  thou,  my  friend,  go  on  and  prosper." 

But  as  ./Eneas  looked  round  he  saw  a  great 


THE  DWELLINGS  OF   THE  DEAD.  141 

building,  and  a  three-fold  wall  about  it,  and 
round  the  wall  a  river  of  fire.  Great  gates 
there  were,  and  a  tower  of  brass,  and  the  fury 
Tisiphone  sat  as  warder.  Also  he  heard  the 
sound  of  those  that  smote  upon  an  anvil,  and 
the  clanking  of  chains.  And  he  stood,  and 
said,  "  What  mean  these  things  that  I  see 
and  hear  ?"  Then  the  Sibyl  made  answer : 
"  The  foot  of  the  righteous  may  not  pass  that 
threshold.  But  when  the  Queen  of  hell  gave 
me  this  office  she  herself  led  me  through  the 
place  and  told  me  all.  There  sitteth  Rhadaman- 
thus  the  Cretan,  and  judgeth  the  dead.  And 
them  that  be  condemned  Tisiphone  taketh,  and 
the  gate  which  thou  seest  openeth  to  receive 
them.  And  within  is  a  great  pit,  and  the  depth 
thereof  it  as  the  height  of  heaven.  Herein  lie 
the  Titans,  the  sons  of  Earth,  whom  Jupiter 
smote  with  the  thunder ;  and  herein  the  sons  of 
Aloeus,  who  strove  to  thrust  the  Gods  from 
heaven;  and  Salmoneus,  who  would  have  mocked 
the  thunder  of  Jupiter,  riding  in  his  chariot 
through  the  cities  of  Elis,  and  shaking  a  torch, 
and  giving  himself  out  to  be  a  god.  But  the 
lightning  smote  him  in  his  pride.     Also  I  saw 


142  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

Tityos,  spread  over  nine  acres  of  ground,  and 
the  vulture  feeding  on  his  heart.  And  over 
some  hangs  a  great  stone  ready  to  fall ;  and 
some  sit  at  the  banquet,  but  when  they  would 
eat,  the  Fury  at  their  side  forbids,  and  rises  and 
shakes  her  torch  and  thunders  in  their  ears. 
These  are  they  who  while  they  were  yet  alive 
hated  their  brothers,  or  struck  father  or  mother, 
or  deceived  one  that  trusted  to  them,  or  kept 
their  riches  for  themselves,  nor  cared  for  those 
of  their  own  household  (a  great  multitude  are 
they),  or  stirred  up  civil  strife.  And  of  these 
some  roll  a  great  stone  and  cease  not,  and 
some  are  bound  to  wheels,  and  some  sit  for 
ever  crying,  '  Learn  to  do  righteousness  and 
to  fear  the  Gods.' " 

And  when  the  priestess  had  finished  these 
words  they  hastened  on  their  way.  And,  after  a 
while,  she  said, "  Lo  !  here  is  the  palace  which  the 
Cyclopes  built  for  Pluto  and  the  Queen  of  hell. 
Here  must  we  offer  the  gift  of  the  bough  of 
gold."  And  this  being  accomplished,  they  came 
to  the  dwellings  of  the  righteous.  Here  are 
green  spaces,  with  woods  about  them  ;  and  the 
light  of  their  heaven  is  fuller  and  brighter  than 


THE  DWELLINGS  OF    THE  DEAD.  143 

that  which  men  behold.  Another  sun  they  have 
and  other  stars.  Some  of  them  contend  to- 
gather  in  wrestling  and  running ;  and  some 
dance  in  measure,  singing  the  while  a  pleasant 
song  ;  and  Orpheus,  clad  in  a  long  robe,  makes 
music,  touching  his  harp,  now  with  his  fingers 
and  now  with  an  ivory  bow.  Here  did  iEneas 
marvel  to  see  the  mighty  men  of  old,  such 
as  were  Ilus,  and  Dardanus,  builder  of  Troy. 
Their  spears  stood  fixed  in  the  earth,  and  their 
horses  fed  about  the  plain ;  for  they  love  spear 
and  chariot  and  horses,  even  as  they  loved  them 
upon  earth.  And  others  sat  and  feasted,  sitting 
on  the  grass  in  a  sweet-smelling  grove  of  bay, 
whence  flows  the  river  which  men  upon  the  earth 
call  the  Po.  Here  were  they  who  had  died  for 
their  country,  and  holy  priests,  and  poets  who 
had  uttered  nothing  base,  and  such  as  had 
found  out  witty  inventions,  or  had  done  great 
good  to  men.  All  these  had  snow-white  gar- 
lands on  their  heads.  Then  spake  the  Sibyl  to 
Musasus,  who  stood  in  the  midst,  surpassing 
them  all  in  stature:  "Tell  me,  happy  souls, 
where  shall  we  find  Anchises."  And  Musaeus 
answered,  "  We  have  no  certain  dwelling-place ; 


144  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

but  climb  this  hill,  and  ye  can  see  the  whole 
plain  below,  and  doubtless  him  whom  ye  seek." 

Then  they  beheld  Anchises  where  he  sat  in  a 
green  valley,  regarding  the  spirits  of  those  who 
should  be  born  in  after-time  of  his  race.  And 
when  he  beheld  ^Eneas  coming,  he  stretched 
out  his  hands  and  cried,  "  Comest  thou,  my  son  ? 
Hast  thou  won  thy  way  hither  to  me  ?  Even 
so  I  thought  that  it  would  be,  and  lo !  my 
hope  hath  not  failed  me." 

And  iEneas  made  answer,  "  Yea,  I  have  come 
a  long  way  to  see  thee,  even  as  thy  spirit 
bade  me.  And  now  let  me  embrace  thee  with 
my  arms." 

But  when  he  would  have  embraced  him  it 
was  as  if  he  clasped  the  air. 

Then  ^Eneas  looked  and  beheld  a  river,  and 
a  great  company  of  souls  thereby,  thick  as  the 
bees  on  a  calm  summer  day  in  a  garden  of  lilies. 
And  when  he  would  know  the  meaning  of  the 
concourse,  Anchises  said,  "  These  are  souls 
which  have  yet  to  live  again  in  a  mortal  body, 
and  they  are  constrained  to  drink  of  the  water 
of  forgetfulness."  And  ^Eneas  said,  "  Nay,  my 
father,  can  any  desire  to  take  again  upon  them 


THE  DWELLINGS  OF   THE  DEAD.  145 

the  body  of  death  ? "  Then  Anchises  made 
reply  :  "  Listen,  my  son,  and  I  will  tell  thee  all. 
There  is  one  soul  in  heaven  and  earth  and  the 
stars  and  the  shining  orb  of  the  moon  and  the 
great  sun  himself;  from  which  soul  also  cometh 
the  life  of  man  and  of  beast,  and  of  the  birds  of 
the  air,  and  of  the  fishes  of  the  sea.  And  this  soul 
is  of  a  divine  nature,  but  the  mortal  body  maketh 
it  slow  and  dull.  Hence  come  fear  and  desire, 
and  grief  and  joy,  so  that,  being  as  it  were  shut 
in  a  prison,  the  spirit  beholdeth  not  any  more 
the  light  that  is  without.  And  when  the  mortal 
life  is  ended  yet  are  not  men  quit  of  all  the  evils 
of  the  body,  seeing  that  these  must  needs  be  put 
away  in  many  marvellous  ways.  For  some  are 
hung  up  to  the  winds,  and  with  some  their 
wickedness  is  washed  out  by  water,  or  burnt  out 
with  fire.  But  a  ghostly  pain  we  all  endure. 
Then  we  that  are  found  worthy  are  sent  unto 
Elysium  and  the  plains  of  the  blest.  And  when, 
after  many  days,  the  soul  is  wholly  pure,  it  is 
called  to  the  river  of  forgetfulness,  that  it  may 
drink  thereof,  and  so  return  to  the  world  that 
is  above." 

Then  he  led  ^Eneas  and  the  Sibyl  to  a  hill 


146  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

whence  they  could  see  the  whole  company,  and 
regard  their  faces  as  they  came ;  and  he  said, 
"  Come,  and  I  will  show  thee  them  that  shall 
come  after  thee.  That  youth  who  leans  upon 
a  pointless  spear  is  Silvius,  thy  youngest  child, 
whom  Lavinia  shall  bear  to  thee  in  thy  old  age. 
He  shall  reign  in  Alba,  and  shall  be  the  father 
of  kings.  And  many  other  kings  are  there  who 
shall  build  cities  great  and  famous.  Lo  !  there 
is  Romulus,  whom  Ilia  shall  bear  to  Mars.  He 
shall  build  Rome,  whose  empire  shall  reach  to 
the  ends  of  the  earth  and  its  glory  to  the  heaven. 
Seest  thou  him  with  the  olive  crown  about  his 
head  and  the  white  beard  ?  That  is  he  who 
shall  first  give  laws  to  Rome.  And  next  to  him 
is  Tullus,  the  warrior.  And  there  are  the  Tar- 
quins  ;  and  Brutus,  who  shall  set  the  people  free, 
aye,  and  shall  slay  his  own  sons  when  they  would 
be  false  to  their  country.  See  also  the  Decii ; 
and  Torquatus,  with  the  cruel  axe  ;  and  Camillus 
winning  back  the  standards  of  Rome.  There 
standeth  one  who  shall  subdue  Corinth ;  and 
there  another  who  shall  avenge  the  blood  of 
Troy  upon  the  race  of  Achilles.  There,  too,  thou 
mayest  see  the    Scipios,  thunderbolts  of  war, 


THE  DWELLINGS  OF   THE  DEAD.  147 

whom  the  land  of  Africa  shall  fear ;  and  there 
Regulus,  busy  in  the  furrows  ;  and  there  the 
Fabii,  chiefly  him,  greatest  of  the  name,  who 
shall  save  thy  country  by  wise  delay.  Such,  my 
son,  shall  be  thy  children's  children.  Others 
with  softer  touch  shall  carve  the  face  of  man 
in  marble  or  mould  the  bronze ;  some  more 
skilfully  shall  plead,  or  map  the  skies,  or  tell  the 
rising  of  the  stars.  'Tis  thine,  man  of  Rome, 
to  subdue  the  world.  This  is  thy  work,  to  set 
the  rule  of  peace  over  the  vanquished,  to  spare 
the  humble,  and  to  subdue  the  proud. " 

Then  he  spake  again  :  "  Regard  him  who  is 
the  first  of  all  the  company  of  conquerors.  He 
is  Marcellus ;  he  shall  save  the  state  in  the 
day  of  trouble,  and  put  to  flight  Carthaginian 
and  Gaul. " 

Then  said  iEneas,  for  he  chanced  to  see  by 
his  side  a  youth  clad  in  shining  armour,  and  very 
fair  to  look  upon,  but  sad,  and  with  downcast 
eyes,  "  Tell  me,  father,  who  is  this  ?  How  noble 
is  he  !  What  a  company  is  about  him !  but  there 
is  a  shadow  of  darkness  round  his  head. " 

And  Anchises  made  answer, "  O  my  son, 
seek  not  to  know  the  greatest  sorrow  that  shall 


148  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

befall  thy  children  after  thee.  This  youth  the 
Fates  shall  only  show  for  a  brief  space  to  man. 
Rome  would  seem  too  mighty  to  the  Gods  should 
he  but  live !  What  mourning  shall  there  be  for 
him  !  What  a  funeral  shalt  thou  see,  O  river 
of  Tiber,  as  thou  flowest  by  the  new-made 
tomb !  No  youth  of  the  race  of  Troy  shall  pro- 
mise so  much  as  he.  Alas  !  for  his  righteousness, 
and  truth,  and  valour  unsurpassed  !  O  luckless 
boy,  if  thou  canst  haply  break  thy  evil  doom 
thou  shalt  be  a  Marcellus.  Give  handfuls  of 
lilies.  I  will  scatter  the  bright  flowers  and  pay 
the  idle  honours  to  my  grandson's  shade. " 

Thus  did  Anchises  show  his  son  things  to  be, 
and  kindled  his  soul  with  desire  of  glory.  Also 
he  showed  him  what  wars  he  must  wage,  and 
how  he  should  endure,  or,  if  it  might  be,  avoid 
the  evils  to  come. 

There  are  two  gates  of  Sleep,  of  horn  the 
one,  by  which  true  dreams  go  forth  ;  of  ivory  the 
other,  by  which  the  false.  Then  did  Anchises 
send  forth  his  son  and  the  Sibyl  by  the  ivory 
gate.  And  iEneas  returned  to  the  ships,  and 
making  sail  came  to  the  cape  which  was  after- 
wards called  Caieta. 


CHAPTER   XV. 

KING    LATINUS. 

While  they  tarried  at  Cumse,  Caieta,  who  was 
the  nurse  of  iEneas,  died  and  was  buried  ;  and 
they  called  the  cape  after  her  name.  And 
afterwards  they  set  sail,  and  passed  by  the 
island  wherein  dwelt  Circe,  who  is  the  daughter 
of  the  Sun.  Pleasantly  doth  she  sing,  sitting  at 
the  loom,  and  burneth  torches  of  sweet-smelling 
cedar  to  give  her  light  by  night.  And  round 
about  her  dwelling  you  may  hear  the  growling 
of  lions  and  wild  boars  and  bears  and  wolves, 
which  are  men  whom  the  goddess  with  her 
enchantments  hath  changed  into  the  shapes  of 
beasts.  But  Neptune  would  not  that  the  men 
of  Troy,  being  fearers  of  the  Gods,  should  suffer 
such  things.  Therefore  did  he  send  them 
favourable  winds,  so  that  they  passed  quickly 
by  that  land. 

Now  when  it  was  dawn,  the  wind  being  now 
149 


150  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

lulled,  they  came  to  a  great  wood  upon  the 
shore,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  wood  the  river 
Tiber  yellow  with  much  abundance  of  sand, 
flowing  into  the  sea.  And  on  the  shore  and  in 
the  wood  were  many  birds.  Thither  the  men 
of  Troy  brought  their  ships  safe  to  land. 

Of  this  country  Latinus  was  king,  who  was  the 
son  of  Faunus,  who  was  the  son  of  Picus,  who 
was  the  son  of  Saturn.  And  King  Latinus  had 
not  a  son,  but  a  daughter  only,  Lavinia  by  name, 
who  was  now  of  an  age  to  be  married.  Many 
chiefs  of  Latium,  and  of  all  Italy,  desired  to 
have  her  to  wife  ;  of  whom  the  first  was  Turnus, 
a  very  comely  youth,  and  of  a  royal  house. 
Now  the  queen,  the  mother  of  the  virgin, 
loved  him,  and  would  fain  have  married  her 
daughter  to  him,  but  the  Gods  hindered  the 
marriage  with  ill  omens  and  marvels.  In  the 
midst  of  the  palace  was  a  great  bay-tree,  which 
the  king  who  builded  the  house  had  dedicated 
to  Phoebus.  On  this  there  lighted  a  great 
swarm  of  bees,  and  hung  like  unto  a  cluster  of 
grapes  from  a  bough  thereof.  And  the  seers 
beholding  the  thing,  cried,  "  There  cometh  a 
stranger   who    shall    be    husband    to    Lavinia, 


KING  LATIN  US.  I5r 

and  a  strange  people  who  shall  bear  rule  in  this 
place."  Also  when  Lavinia  lighted  the  fire 
upon  the  altar,  standing  by  her  father,  a  flame 
leapt  therefrom  upon  her  hair,  and  burned  the 
ornament  that  was  upon  her  head  and  the 
crown  of  jewels  and  gold,  and  spread  with 
smoke  and  fire  over  the  whole  palace.  Where- 
upon the  prophets  spake,  saying,  "  The  virgin 
indeed  shall  be  famous  and  great,  but  there 
cometh  a  dreadful  war  upon  her  people."  And 
King  Latinus,  fearing  what  these  things  might 
mean,  inquired  of  the  oracle  of  Faunus,  his 
father,  which  is  by  the  grove  of  Albunea.  Now 
the  custom  is  that  the  priest  offereth  sacrifice  in 
the  grove  and  lieth  down  to  sleep  on  the  skins 
of  the  sheep  that  he  hath  slain  ;  and  it  cometh 
to  pass  that  he  seeth  visions  in  the  night  and 
heareth  the  voice  of  the  Gods.  So  King  Latinus, 
being  himself  a  priest,  made  a  great  sacrifice, 
even  of  a  hundred  sheep,  and  lay  down  to  sleep 
upon  the  skins  thereof.  And  when  he  was  laid 
down,  straightway  there  came  a  voice  from  the 
grove,  saying, "  Seek  not,  my  son,  to  marry  thy 
daughter  to  a  chief  of  this  land.  There  shall 
come  a  son-in-law  from  beyond  the  sea,  who 


152  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

shall  exalt  our  name  from  the  one  end  of  heaven 
to  the  other."  Nor  did  the  king  hide  these 
things,  but  noised  them  abroad,  and  the  fame 
thereof  was  great  in  these  days  when  iEneas 
and  his  company  came  to  the  land  of  Italy. 

Now  it  so  chanced  that  iEneas  and  lulus  his 
son,  and  others  of  the  princes,  sat  down  to  eat 
under  a  tree  ;  and  they  had  platters  of  dough 
whereon  to  eat  their  meat.  And  when  they 
had  ended,  and  were  not  satisfied,  they  ate  their 
platters  also,  not  thinking  what  they  did.  Then 
said  Iiilus,  making  sport,  "  What !  do  we  eat 
even  our  tables  ?  "  And  iEneas  was  right  glad 
to  hear  this  thing,  and  embraced  the  boy,  and 
said,  "  Now  know  I  that  we  are  come  to  the 
land  which  the  Gods  have  promised  to  me  and 
to  my  people,  that  they  would  give  us.  For 
my  father,  Anchises,  spake  to  me,  saying, '  My 
son,  when  thou  shalt  come  to  a  land  that  thou 
knowest  not,  and  hunger  shall  constrain  thee  to 
eat  thy  tables,  then  know  that  thou  hast  found 
thee  a  home.'  Now,  therefore,  seeing  that  these 
things  have  an  accomplishment,  let  us  pour  out 
libations  to  Jupiter,  and  make  our  prayers  also 
to  my  father,  Anchises,  and  make  merry.     And 


KING  LATIN  US.  153 

in  the  morning  we  will  search  out  the  country, 
and  see  who  they  be  that  dwell  herein." 

Then  he  bound  a  garland  of  leaves  about 
his  head,  and  made  his  prayers  to  Mother 
Earth,  and  to  the  gods  of  the  land,  of  whom  in- 
deed he  knew  not  who  they  were,  and  to  Father 
Jupiter,  and  to  the  other  gods  also.  And  when 
he  had  ended  his  prayer,  Jupiter  thundered 
thrice  from  the  sky.  Then  was  it  noised  abroad 
among  the  men  of  Troy  that  now  indeed  were 
they  come  to  the  land  where  they  should  build 
them  a  city ;  and  they  eat  and  drank  and 
made  merry. 

The  next  day  those  who  should  search  out 
the  country  went  forth.  And  when  it  was  told 
iEneas,  saying  that  this  river  was  the  Tiber, 
and  that  the  people  who  dwelt  in  the  land  were 
the  Latins,  valiant  men  of  war,  he  chose  out  a 
hundred  men  who  should  go,  with  crowns  of 
olive  upon  their  heads,  to  the  city  of  the  king, 
having  also  gifts  in  their  hands,  and  should 
pray  that  there  might  be  peace  between  the 
men  of  Troy  and  his  people.  And  the  men 
made  haste  to  depart  ;  and  in  the  meanwhile 
iEneas  marked   out  for  himself  a  camp,  and 


154  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

bade  that  they  should  make  a  rampart  and 
a  ditch. 

Now  when  they  that  were  sent  came  nigh  to 
the  city,  they  saw  the  young  men  in  the  plain 
that  was  before  it,  riding  upon  horses  and  driv- 
ing chariots.  Others  shot  with  the  bow  or  cast 
javelins,  and  some  contended  in  running  or  box- 
ing. And  one  rode  on  horseback  and  told  the 
king,  saying  that  certain  men  in  strange  raiment 
were  come.  Then  the  king  commanded  that 
they  should  be  brought  into  the  palace,  and  sat 
upon  the  throne  of  his  fathers,  and  gave  audience 
to  them. 

Now  the  palace  stood  on  the  hill  that  was  in 
the  midst  of  the  city,  where  King  Picus  had 
builded  it,  having  woods  about  it  very  sacred. 
Here  did  the  kings  first  receive  the  sceptre, 
that  they  should  bear  rule  over  the  people.  A 
senate-house  also  it  was,  and  a  banqueting- 
house,  where  the  princes  sat  feasting.  Very 
great  was  it  and  magnificent,  having  a  hundred 
pillars  ;  and  in  the  halls  were  the  statues  of 
ancient  kings,  carven  in  cedar,  even  Italus,  and 
Sabinus  the  vine-dresser,  and  Father  Saturn, 
and  Janus  with  the  two  faces.     Also  on  the 


KING  LATIN  US.  155 


wall  hung  trophies  of  war,  chariots,  and  battle- 
axes,  and  helmets,  and  javelins,  and  the  beaks 
of  ships.  And  sitting  on  a  throne  was  the 
image  of  King  Picus,  clad  in  royal  apparel, 
bearing  a  shield  on  his  lelt  arm.  But  the  king 
himself  his  wife  Circe  had  changed  into  a  bird. 

And  King  Latinus  spake,  saying,  "  Tell  me, 
men  of  Troy,  for  I  know  you  who  you  are, 
what  seek  ye  ?  For  what  cause  are  ye  come  to 
the  land  of  Italy  ?  Have  ye  gone  astray  in 
your  journey  ?  or  have  the  storms  driven  you 
out  of  the  way,  as  ofttimes  befalleth  men  that 
sail  upon  the  sea  ?  Ye  are  welcome.  And 
know  that  we  be  of  the  race  of  Saturn,  who  do 
righteously,  not  by  constraint,  but  of  our  own 
will.  From  hence  also,  even  from  Corythus, 
which  is  a  city  of  the  Etrurians,  went  forth 
Dardanus,  and  abode  in  the  land  of  Troy." 

Then  Ilioneiis  made  answer,  saying,  "  Great 
King,  we  have  not  gone  astray  in  our  journey, 
nor  have  storms  driven  us  out  of  the  way.  Of 
set  purpose  are  we  come  to  this  land.  For  we 
were  driven  away  by  ill-fortune  from  our  country, 
of  which  things  we  doubt  not,  O  King,  that  thou 
knowest  the  certainty.     For  who  is  thereunder 


156  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

the  whole  heaven  who  knoweth  not  what  a 
storm  of  destruction  came  forth  from  the  land  of 
Greece  and  overthrew  the  great  city  of  Troy, 
Europe  and  Asia  setting  themselves  in  arms 
against  each  other  ?  And  now  are  we  come  to 
ask  for  a  parcel  of  land  whereon  we  may  dwell ; 
and  for  air  and  water,  which  indeed  are  common 
to  all  men.  Nor  shall  we  do  dishonour  to  this 
realm,  nor  be  unthankful  for  these  benefits.  And 
be  sure,  O  king,  that  it  will  not  repent  thee  that 
thou  hast  received  us.  For  indeed  many  nations 
and  lands  would  fain  have  joined  us  to  them- 
selves. But  the  Gods  laid  a  command  upon  us 
that  we  should  come  to  this  country  of  Italy. 
For  indeed,  as  thou  sayest,  Dardanus  came  forth 
from  hence,  and  thither  his  children,  Apollo 
bidding  them,  would  return.  And  now,  behold, 
iEneas  sends  thee  these  gifts  of  the  things 
which  remain  to  us  of  the  riches  which  we  had 
aforetime.  This  sceptre  King  Priam  held  when 
he  did  justice  among  his  people ;  here  is  a  crown 
also,  and  garments  which  the  women  of  Troy 
have  worked  with  their  hands." 

Then  for  awhile  King  Latinus  kept  silence, 
fixing  his  eyes  upon  the  ground.     Deeply  did 


KING  LATIN  US.  157 

he  ponder  in  his  heart  upon  the  marriage  of  his 
daughter,  and  upon  the  oracles  of  Faunus  his 
father,  whether  indeed  this  stranger  that  was 
now  come  to  his  land  might  haply  be  the  son- 
in-law  of  whom  the  prophets  had  spoken.  At 
the  last  he  spake,  saying, "  May  the  Gods  prosper 
this  matter  between  you  and  me.  We  grant, 
men  of  Troy,  that  which  ye  ask.  Also  we 
regard  these  your  gifts.  Know  ye  that  while 
we  reign  in  this  land  ye  shall  not  want  for 
riches,  even  unto  the  measure  of  the  riches  of 
Troy.  And  for  your  king,  iEneas,  if  he  desire, 
as  ye  say,  to  join  himself  with  us,  let  him  come 
and  look  upon  us,  face  to  face.  And  also  take 
ye  back  this  message  to  your  king.  I  have  a 
daughter,  whom  the  Gods  suffer  me  not  to  marry 
to  a  husband  of  this  land.  For  they  say  that 
there  shall  come  a  stranger  who  shall  be  my 
son-in-law,  and  that  from  his  loins  shall  come 
forth  those  who  shall  raise  our  name  even  unto 
the  stars." 

Then  the  king  commanded  that  they  should 
bring  forth  horses  from  the  stalls.  Now  there 
stood  in  the  stalls  three  hundred  horses,  very 
fleet  of  foot.     And  of  these  they  brought  forth 


158  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

one  hundred,  one  for  each  man  of  Troy ;  and 
they  were  decked  with  trappings  of  purple,  and 
champed  on  bits  of  gold.  And  for  iEneas 
himself  he  sent  a  chariot,  and  two  horses  breath- 
ing fire  from  their  nostrils,  which  were  of  the 
breed  of  the  horses  of  the  Sun.  So  the  men  of 
Troy  went  back  riding  on  horses,  and  took  to 
^Eneas  the  gifts  and  the  message  of  peace. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE    WRATH    OF   JUNO. 

Now  Juno  beheld  how  the  men  of  Troy  were 
come  to  the  land  of  Italy,  and  were  now  build- 
ing them  houses  to  dwell  in ;  and  great  wrath 
came  into  her  heart,  and  she  spake  to  herself, 
saying,  "  Of  a  truth  this  accursed  race  hath 
vanquished  me.  For  the  flames  of  Troy  burned 
them  not,  neither  hath  the  sea  devoured  them. 
And,  lo  !  they  are  come  to  the  place  where  they 
would  be,  even  to  the  river  of  Tiber.  Yet  could 
Mars  destroy  the  whole  nation  of  the  Lapithae, 
when  he  was  wroth  with  them  ;  and  Jupiter  suf- 
fered Diana  to  prevail  against  the  land  of  Caly- 
don.  Yet  had  not  the  Lapithas  or  Calydon  done 
so  great  wickedness  as  hath  this  nation  of  Troy. 
And  I,whoamthewife  of  Jupiter,  am  vanquished 
by  ^Eneas  !  Yet  have  I  means  yet  remaining 
to  me,  for  if  the  Gods  of  heaven  will  not  help 
me,  then  will  I  betake  me  to  the  powers  of  hell. 

iS9 


160  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

From  the  kingdom  of  Latium  I  may  not  keep 
him,  and  the  Gods  decree  that  he  shall  have 
Lavinia  to  wife.  Yet  may  I  hinder  the  matter. 
Surely  at  a  great  price  shall  they  buy  this 
alliance ;  and  thy  dowry,  O  virgin,  shall  be  the 
blood  of  Italy  and  of  Troy." 

Then  Juno  descended  to  the  lower  parts  of 
the  earth,  and  called  to  her  Alecto  from  the  dwell- 
ings of  her  sisters  the  Furies — Alecto  who  loveth 
war  and  anger  and  treachery,  and  all  evil  deeds. 
Even  Pluto  hateth  her,  aye,  and  her  sisters  like- 
wise, so  dreadful  is  she  to  behold.  And  Juno 
spake  to  her,  saying,  "  Now  would  I  have  thee 
help  me,  Daughter  of  Night,  that  I  lose  not  my 
proper  honour.  I  will  not  that  ^Eneas  should 
have  the  daughter  of  Latinus  to  wife,  or  dwell 
in  the  land  of  Italy.  Seeing  therefore  that  thou 
canst  set  brother  against  brother,  and  bring 
enmity  into  houses  and  kingdoms,  that  they 
should  fall,  break  this  peace  that  they  have  made, 
and  bring  to  pass  some  occasion  of  war." 

Then  straightway  Alecto  betook  herself  to 
the  dwelling  of  King  Latinus.  There  found 
she  Amata,  the  queen,  in  great  trouble  and 
wrath,  for  she  loved  not  the  men  of  Troy,  and 


THE    WRATH  OF   JUNO.  161 

would  have  Turnus  for  her  son-in-law.  And  the 
Fury  took  a  snake  from  her  hair,  and  thrust  it 
into  the  bosom  of  the  queen.  About  her  breast 
it  glided  unfelt,  and  breathed  poisonous  breath 
into  her  heart.  And  now  it  became  a  collar  of 
twisted  gold  about  her  neck,  and  now  a  crown 
about  her  head,  binding  her  hair.  At  the  first 
indeed,  when  the  poison  began  to  work,  and  her 
whole  heart  was  not  as  yet  filled  with  the  fever, 
she  spake  gently  and  after  the  wont  of  a  mother,, 
weeping  much  the  while  over  her  daughter. 
"  Art  thou  then  ready,  my  husband,  to  give 
thy  daughter  to  this  exile  of  Troy  ?  Hast  thou 
no  pity  for  thyself,  or  thy  daughter,  or  me  ? 
Well  know  I  that  with  the  first  north  wind  he 
will  fly  and  carry  her  away  over  the  sea.  And 
what  of  thy  word,  and  of  the  faith  that  thou  hast 
pledged  so  many  times  to  Turnus  thy  kinsman  ? 
If  thou  must  seek  a  son-in-law  from  the  land  of 
the  stranger,  I  hold  that  they  all  be  strangers 
who  obey  not  thy  rule,  and  that  the  Gods  mean 
not  other  than  this.  And  Turnus,  if  thou  wilt 
inquire  more  deeply  into  his  descent,  is  of  the 
lineage  of  Inachus,  and  cometh  in  the  beginning 
from  the  land  of  Mycenae." 

i* 


1 62  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

But  when  she  perceived  that  her  husband 
heeded  not  these  words,  and  when  also  the  poison 
of  the  serpent  had  now  altogether  prevailed  over 
her,  she  ran  through  the  city  like  to  one  that 
is  mad.  Nay,  she  feigned  that  the  frenzy  of 
Bacchus  was  upon  her,  and  fled  into  the  woods, 
taking  her  daughter  with  her,  to  the  end  that 
she  might  hinder  the  marriage.  Many  other 
women  also,  when  they  heard  this  thing,  went 
forth,  leaving  their  homes.  With  bare  necks 
and  hair  unbound  they  went,  crying  aloud  the 
while ;  and  in  their  hands  they  held  staves  of 
pine,  and  were  clad  in  the  skins  of  wild  beasts. 
And  in  the  midst  of  them  stood  the  queen,  hold- 
ing a  great  pine  torch  in  her  hand,  and  singing 
the  marriage  song  of  her  daughter  and  Turnus  ; 
and  her  eyes  were  red  as  blood. 

Next  after  this  the  Fury,  deeming  that  she 
had  overthrown  the  counsels  of  Latinus,  sped  to 
the  city  of  Turnus  the  Rutulian.  Now  the  name 
of  the  city  was  called  Ardea,  and  Danae  builded 
it  in  old  time  ;  Ardea  is  it  called  to  this  day,  but 
its  glory  hath  departed.  Now  Turnus  was 
asleep  in  his  palace,  and  Alecto  took  upon  her 
the  shape  of  an  old  woman,  even  of  Chalybe, 


THE    WRATH  OF   JUNO.  163 

who  was  the  priestess  of  Juno  ;  and  she  spake, 
saying,  "  Turnus,  wilt  thou  suffer  all  thy  toil  to 
be  in  vain,  and  thy  kingdom  to  be  given  to 
another  ?  King  Latinus  taketh  from  thee  thy 
betrothed  wife,  and  chooseth  a  stranger  that  he 
should  inherit  his  kingdom.  Juno  commanded 
that  I  should  tell  thee  this  in  thy  sleep.  Rise, 
therefore,  and  arm  thy  people.  Consume  these 
strangers  and  their  ships  with  fire.  And  if 
King  Latinus  yet  will  not  abide  by  his  promise, 
let  him  know  for  himself  what  Turnus  can  do 
in  the  day  of  battle." 

But  Turnus  laughed  her  to  scorn.  "  That 
the  ships  of  the  stranger  have  come  to  the 
Tiber,  I  know  full  well.  But  tell  me  not  these 
tales.  Queen  Juno  forgetteth  me  not,  there- 
fore I  am  not  afraid ;  but  thou,  mother,  art  old 
and  wanderest  from  the  truth,  and  troublest 
thyself  for  nought,  and  art  mocked  with  idle 
fear.  Thy  business  it  is  to  tend  the  temples  of 
the  Gods  and  their  images,  but  as  for  war,  leave 
that  to  men,  seeing  that  it  is  their  care." 

Greatly  wroth  was  Alecto  to  hear  such  words. 
And  even  while  he  spake  the  young  man 
shuddered    and  stared   with  his   eyes,  for  the 


1 64  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

Fury  hissed  before  him  with  a  thousand  snakes.. 
And  when  he  would  have  spoken  more,  she 
thrust  him  back,  and  caught  two  snakes  from 
her  hair,  and  lashed  him  therewith,  and  cried 
aloud,  "  Old  am  I  !  and  wander  from  the  truth  ! 
and  am  mocked  with  idle  fears !  Nay,  but  I 
come  from  the  dwelling  of  the  Furies,  and  war 
and  death  are  in  my  hand  ! " 

And  she  cast  a  torch  at  the  youth,  and  fixed 
it  smoking  with  baleful  light  in  his  heart.  Then, 
in  great  fear,  he  woke,  and  a  cold  sweat  burst 
forth  upon  him,  and  he  cried  aloud  for  his  arms,, 
and  was  exceedingly  mad  for  battle.  Also  he 
bade  the  youth  arm  themselves,  saying  that  he 
would  thrust  the  men  of  Troy  out  of  Italy,  aye,, 
and  fight,  if  need  were,  with  the  Latins  also.. 
And  the  people  hearkened  unto  him,  so  fair  was 
he,  and  of  noble  birth  and  great  renown  in  war. 

Then  Alecto  hied  her  to  the  place  where 
Ililus  was  hunting  the  beasts  of  the  forest. 
Now  there  was  a  stag,  very  stately,  with  ex- 
ceeding great  horns,  which  Tyrrheus  and  his 
children  had  brought  up  from  a  fawn.  And 
Silvia,  a  fair  virgin  who  was  his  daughter,  was 
wont  to  adorn  it  with  garlands,  and  to  comb 


THE    WRATH  OF   JUNO.  165 

it,  and  to  wash  it  with  water.  By  day  it  would 
wander  in  the  woods,  and  at  nightfall  come 
back  to  the  house.  This  stag,  then,  the  dogs 
of  lulus  having  scented  pursued,  and  indeed 
Alecto  brought  it  to  pass  that  this  mischief 
shall  befall ;  and  lulus  also,  following  hard  upon 
his  dogs,  shot  an  arrow  at  it,  nor  missed  (for  the 
Fury  would  have  it  so),  but  pierced  it  through. 
Then  the  wounded  beast  fled  back  to  the  house 
which  it  knew,  being  covered  with  blood,  and 
filled  it  with  a  lamentable  voice,  as  one  that 
crieth  for  help.  And  Silvia  heard  it,  and  cried 
to  the  country  folk  for  aid,  who  came  forth- 
with, Alecto  urging  them  (for  the  accursed 
thing  lay  hid  in  the  woods).  And  one  had  a 
charred  firebrand  and  another  a  knotted  stick, 
each  such  weapon  as  came  to  his  hand.  And 
Tyrrheus,  who  chanced  to  be  splitting  a  tall 
oak  with  wedges,  led  the  way,  having  a  great 
axe  in  his  hand. 

Then  did  Alecto  climb  upon  the  roof,  and, 
sounding  with  hellish  voice  through  a  clarion, 
sent  abroad  the  shepherds'  signal.  And  all  the 
forest  trembled  at  the  sound,  and  Trivia's  lake 
and  Nar,  with  his  white  sulphurous  wave,  and 


166  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

the  fountains  of  Velia  ;  and  trembling  mothers 
pressed  their  children  to  their  breasts. 

Then  ran  together  all  the  country  folk,  and 
the  youth  of  Troy  hasted  also  to  the  help  of 
Iiilus.  And  now  they  fought  not  with  clubs 
and  charred  stakes,  but  with  swords  and  spears 
in  battle  array.  Then  Almo  fell,  the  eldest  of 
the  sons  of  Tyrrheus,  stricken  in  the  throat, 
with  many  others  round  him,  and  among  them 
the  old  man  Galgesus,  even  as  he  offered  him- 
self to  be  a  mediator  between  the  two.  Most 
righteous  of  men  was  he,  and  richest  likewise, 
for  he  had  five  flocks  of  sheep  and  five  herds 
of  cattle,  and  tilled  the  earth  with  a  hundred 
ploughs. 

But  Alecto,  when  she  had  accomplished  these 
things,  hasted  to  Juno,  and  spake,  saying,  "  I 
have  done  thy  bidding ;  and  now,  if  thou  wilt, 
I  will  to  the  neighbouring  cities,  spreading 
among  them  rumours  of  wars."  But  Juno 
answered,  "  It  is  enough ;  there  hath  been  the 
shedding  of  blood.  It  were  not  well  that  the 
Father  should  see  thee  wandering  in  the  upper 
air,  wherefore  depart,  and  if  aught  remain  to  be 
done,  I  will  see  to  it." 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE    GATHERING    OF    THE    CHIEFS. 

After  this  the  shepherds  hasted  back  to  the 
city,  and  bare  with  them  the  dead,  even  the 
youth  Almo  and  the  old  man  Galsesus,  and 
cried  for  vengeance  to  the  Gods  and  to  the  king. 
And  fiercest  of  all  was  Turnus,  complaining  that 
men  of  Troy  were  called  to  reign  over  them, 
and  that  he  himself  was  banished.  And  all  the 
multitude  was  urgent  with  the  king  that  he 
should  make  war  against  the  strangers  ;  neither 
did  any  man  regard  the  commands  of  the  Gods. 
But  the  king  stood  firm,  even  as  a  great  rock 
in  the  sea  is  not  moved  though  the  waves  roar 
about  it  and  the  seaweed  is  dashed  upon  its 
sides.  But  when  he  saw  that  he  could  not  pre- 
vail against  these  evil  counsels,  he  called  the 
Gods  to  witness,  crying,  "  The  storm  strikes 
upon  me,  and  I  may  not  stand  against  it.  O 
foolish   Latins,  ye  shall  pay  for  this  madness 

T67 


168  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

with  your  blood,  and  thou,  Turnus,  shalt  suffer 
the  worst  punishment  of  all ;  and  when  thou 
shalt  turn  to  the  Gods  they  shall  not  hear  thee. 
But  as  for  me,  my  rest  is  at  hand  ;  I  lose  but 
the  honours  of  my  funeral." 

It  was  a  custom  in  Latium,  which  Alba 
kept  in  after  time,  and  mighty  Rome  yet  keepeth 
to  this  day,  that  when  she  beginneth  to  make 
war,  be  it  on  the  men  of  Thrace  or  the  men  of 
the  East,  Arab,  or  Indian,  or  Parthian,  they  open 
the  great  gates  of  the  temple  (double  they  are, 
and  made  strong  with  bolts  of  brass  and  iron), 
on  the  threshold  whereof  sitteth  Janus,  the 
guardian.  For  the  Consul  himself,  with  robe  and 
girdle,  so  soon  as  the  fathers  give  their  sentence 
for  war,  throweth  them  wide,  and  the  people 
follow  the  Consul,  and  the  horns  blow  a  great 
blast  together.  Even  so  they  bade  King  Latinus, 
after  the  custom  of  his  country,  declare  war 
against  the  men  of  Troy,  and  open  the  gates  of 
slaughter  ;  but  he  would  not,  flying  and  hiding 
himself  in  darkness.  Then  did  great  Juno  her- 
self come  down  and  burst  asunder  the  iron-bound 
gates  of  war. 

Then  through  the  land  of  Italy  men  prepared 


THE  GATHERING   OF   THE  CHIEFS.         169 

themselves  for  battle,  making  bright  shield  and 
spear  and  sharpening  the  axe  upon  the  whet- 
stone. And  in  five  cities  did  they  set  up  anvils 
to  make  arms  thereon,  head-pieces,  and  shields 
of  wicker,  and  breast-plates  of  bronze,  and 
greaves  of  silver.  Nor  did  men  regard  any- 
more the  reaping-hook  nor  the  plough,  making 
new  for  battle  the  swords  of  their  fathers. 

Now  the  greatest  of  the  chiefs  were  these  : 

First,  Prince  Mezentius,  the  Tuscan,  who  re- 
garded not  the  Gods  ;  and  with  him  Lausus  his 
son,  than  whom  was  none  fairer  in  the  host  but 
Turnus  only.  A  thousand  men  followed  him 
from  Agylla.     Worthy  was  he  of  a  better  father. 

Next  came,  with  horses  that  none  might  sur- 
pass, Aventinus,  son  of  Hercules ;  and  on  his 
shield  was  the  emblem  of  his  father,  the  Hydra, 
with  its  hundred  snakes.  Long  swords  had  his 
men  and  Sabine  spears ;  and  he  himself  had 
about  his  head  and  shoulders  a  great  lion's  skin, 
with  terrible  mane  and  great  white  teeth. 

And  from  Tibur  came  two  youths  of  Argos, 
twin  brothers,  Catillus  and  Coras,  swift  and 
strong  as  two  Centaurs  from  the  hills.  And 
Cseculus,  who  builded  Prasneste,  was  there,  son 


170  STORIES  FRO  AT   VIRGIL. 

of  Vulcan,  and  a  great  company  of  country  folk 
with  him,  whereof  many  bare  not  shield  nor 
spear,  but  slings  with  bullets  of  lead,  and  javelins 
in  either  hand,  and  helmets  of  wolfs  skin  upon 
their  heads. 

After  him  marched  Messapus,  tamer  of  horses, 
Neptune's  son,  whom  no  man  might  lay  low 
with  fire  or  sword  ;  and  the  people  followed, 
singing  a  war-song  of  their  king,  like  to  a  great 
flock  of  swans,  which  flies  with  many  cries  across 
the  Asian  marsh.  And  next  Clausus  the  Sabine, 
from  whom  is  sprung  the  great  Claudian  house  ; 
and  Halesus,  companion  of  Agamemnon,  and 
enemy  of  Troy  from  of  old,  with  many  nations 
behind  him  ;  clubs  had  they,  fastened  with  thongs 
of  leather,  and  wicker  shields  on  their  left  arms, 
and  their  swords  were  shaped  as  reaping-hooks. 
After  these  came  CEbalus,  son  of  Telon,  with 
the  men  of  Campania,  wearing  helmets  of  cork, 
and  having  shields  and  swords  of  bronze ;  also 
Ufens,  of  Nersae,  with  his  robber  bands ;  and 
Umbro,  the  Marsian  priest,  a  mighty  wizard 
and  charmer  of  serpents,  who  also  could  heal 
their  bite  ;  but  the  wound  of  the  Trojan  spears 
he  could  not  heal,  nor  did  all  his  charms  and 
mighty  herbs  avail  him. 


THE  GATHERING  OF   THE  CHIEFS.         171 

With  them  also  came  Virbius,  son  of  Hip- 
polytus,  from  Egeria.  For  men  say  that  Hip- 
polytus,  when  the  curse  of  his  father  had  fallen 
upon  him,  and  he  had  perished  by  the  madness 
of  his  horses,  was  made  alive  by  the  skill  of 
^Esculapius,  and  that  Jupiter,  being  wroth  that 
a  mortal  should  return  from  the  dead,  slew  the 
healer,  the  son  of  Phoebus,  with  his  thunderbolt ; 
but  that  Hippolytus  Diana  hid  in  the  grove  of 
Aricia,  that  he  might  spend  the  rest  of  his  days 
obscure  and  without  offence.  And  therefore 
do  they  yet  hinder  horses  from  coming  near  to 
the  temple  of  Diana.  Nevertheless  the  youth 
Virbius  drave  horses  in  his  chariot. 

But  chief  among  them  all  was  Turnus,  who 
moved  in  the  midst,  clad  in  armour,  and  over- 
topping them  all  by  his  head.  And  he  had  a  hel- 
met with  three  crests,  and  the  Chimasra  thereon 
for  a  sign ;  and  on  his  shield  was  Io,  with  her 
horns  lifted  to  heaven,  and  Argus  the  herdsman, 
and  Inachus  pouring  a  river  from  his  urn.  A 
great  multitude  of  footmen  followed  him,  Rutu- 
lians  and  Sicanians,  and  they  that  dwelt  about 
the  Tiber,  and  about  Anxur,  and  about  the 
green  woods  of  Feronia. 


172  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

Last  of  all  came  Camilla  the  Volscian,  with  a 
great  company  on  horses,  clad  in  armour  of 
bronze.  She  loved  neither  distaffnor  the  basket 
of  Minerva,  but  rather  to  fight  and  to  outstrip 
the  winds  in  running.  And  a  mighty  runner 
was  she,  for  she  would  run  over  the  harvest- 
field  nor  harm  the  corn,  and  when  she  sped 
across  the  waves  of  the  sea  she  wetted  not  her 
foot  therein.  All  the  youth  marvelled  to  behold 
her,  and  the  women  stood  gazing  upon  her  as 
she  went.  For  a  robe  of  royal  purple  was 
about  her  shoulders,  and  a  snood  of  gold  about 
her  hair ;  and  she  carried  a  Syrian  quiver  and 
a  pike  of  myrtle-wood,  as  the  shepherds  are 
wont. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

KING     EVANDER. 

So  the  chiefs  were  gathered  together,  and  much 
people  with  them,  Mezentius,  and  Ufens,  and 
Messapus  being  their  leaders.  They  sent  an 
embassy  likewise  to  Diomed  (for  Diomed  had 
built  him  a  city  in  Italy,  even  Arpi),  to  tell 
him  that  iEneas  and  the  men  of  Troy  were 
setting  up  a  kingdom  in  these  parts,  and  to  bid 
him  take  counsel  for  himself. 

But  iEneas  was  much  troubled  at  these 
things,  and  cast  about  in  his  mind  where  he 
should  look  for  help.  And  while  he  meditated 
thereon  he  slept.  And  lo  !  in  his  dreams  the 
god  of  the  river,  even  Father  Tiber,  appeared 
to  him.  An  old  man  was  he,  and  clad  in  a  blue 
linen  robe,  and  having  a  crown  of  reeds  upon 
his  head.  And  he  spake,  saying,  "  Thou  art 
welcome  to  this  land,  to  which  thou  hast 
brought  the  gods  of  Troy.     Be  not  dismayed  at 

i73 


174  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

wars  and  rumours  of  wars,  nor  cease  from  thy 
enterprise.  And  this  shall  be  a  sign  unto  thee. 
Thou  shalt  find  upon  the  shore  a  white  sow 
with  thirty  young,  white  also,  about  her  teats. 
And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  after  thirty  years 
lulus  shall  build  him  the  White  City.  And 
now  I  will  tell  thee  how  thou  shalt  have  victory 
in  this  war.  Certain  men  of  Arcadia,  following 
their  king,  Evander,  have  built  a  city  in  this 
land,  and  called  its  name  Pallantium.  These 
wage  war  continually  with  the  Latins.  To  them 
therefore  thou  must  go,  making  thy  way  up  the 
stream  of  the  river.  Rise  therefore,  and  offer 
sacrifice  to  Juno,  appeasing  her  wrath.  And  to 
me  thou  shalt  perform  thy  vows  when  thou 
shalt  have  prevailed.  For  know  that  I  am 
Tiber  the  river,  and  that  of  all  the  rivers  on 
earth  none  is  dearer  to  the  Gods." 

Then  ^Eneas  roused  him  from  sleep,  and 
made  his  supplications  to  the  Nymphs  and  the 
river  god,  that  they  would  be  favourable  to 
him.  And  when  he  looked,  lo  !  upon  the  shore 
a  white  sow  with  thirty  young,  white  also, 
about  her  teats.  Of  these  he  made  a  sacrifice 
to  Juno.     And  after  this  he  commanded  that 


KING  EVANDER.  175 

they  should  make  ready  two  ships,  and  so  went 
on  his  way.  And  Tiber  stayed  his  stream  so 
that  the  men  might  not  toil  in  rowing.  Quickly 
they  sped,  and  many  trees  were  above  their 
heads,  and  the  image  thereof  in  the  water 
beneath.  And  at  noonday  they  beheld  a  city 
with  walls,  and  a  citadel,  and  a  few  houses 
round  about. 

Now  it  chanced  that  Evander  and  his  people 
were  holding  a  sacrifice  that  day  to  Hercules 
before  the  city.  But  when  they  saw  through 
the  trees  the  ships  approaching,  they  were 
astonished,  and  rose  all  from  the  feast.  But 
Pallas,  who  was  the  son  of  the  king,  commanded 
that  they  should  not  interrupt  the  sacrifice,  and, 
snatching  a  spear,  he  cried  from  the  mound 
whereon  the  altar  stood  : "  Strangers,  why  come 
ye  ?  what  seek  ye  ?    Do  ye  bring  peace  or  war  ?" 

Then  iEneas  cried  from  the  stern  of  his  ship, 
holding  out  the  while  an  olive  branch :  "  We 
be  men  of  Troy,  enemies  of  the  Latins,  and  we 
seek  King  Evander.  Say,  therefore,  to  him 
that  yEneas,  prince  of  Troy,  is  come,  seeking 
alliance  with  him." 

Much  did  Pallas  marvel  to  hear  this  name. 


176  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

and  said,  "  Approach  thou,  whoever  thou  art 
and  hold  converse  with  my  father ;  "  and  he 
caught  him  by  the  hand. 

And  when  /Eneas  was  set  before  King 
Evander  he  spake,  saying,  "  I  come  to  thee, 
O  King,  not  unwilling  or  fearful,  though  indeed 
thou  art  a  Greek  and  akin  to  the  sons  of  Atreus. 
For  between  thee  and  me  also  there  is  kindred. 
For  Dardanus,  builder  of  Troy,  was  the  son  of 
Electra,  who  was  the  daughter  of  Atlas.  And 
ye  come  from  Mercurius,  who  was  the  son  of 
Cyllene,  who  was  also  the  daughter  of  Atlas. 
Wherefore,  I  sent  not  ambassadors  to  thee,  but 
came  myself,  fearing  nothing.  Know  thou  that 
the  Daunian  race,  which  warreth  against  thee,, 
pursueth  us  also  ;  against  whom  if  they  prevail, 
without  doubt  they  shall  rule  over  Italy,  from 
the  one  sea  even  to  the  other.  I  would,  there- 
fore, that  we  make  alliance  together. " 

And  as  he  spake,  Evander  ceased  not  to  re- 
gard him,  and,  when  he  had  ended,  spake, 
saying,  "  Welcome,  great  son  of  Troy.  Gladly 
do  I  recognise  the  voice  and  face  of  Anchises. 
For  I  remember  how  Priam  came  of  old  time 
to  the  kingdom  of  his  sister  Hesione.  who  was 


KING  EVANDER.  177 

the  wife  of  Telamon  ;  and  many  princes  were 
with  him,  but  the  mightiest  of  them  was 
Anchises.  Much  did  I  love  the  man,  and  took 
him  with  me  to  Pheneus.  And  he  gave  me 
when  he  departed  a  quiver  and  arrows  of  Lycia, 
and  a  cloak  with  threads  of  gold,  and  two 
bridles  of  gold,  which  my  son  Pallas  hath  to 
this  day.  The  alliance  that  thou  seekest  I 
grant.  To-morrow  shalt  thou  depart,  with  such 
help  as  I  can  give.  But  now,  since  ye  be  come 
at  such  good  time,  join  us  in  our  sacrifice  and 
feast. " 

So  they  feasted  together  on  the  flesh  of  oxen 
and  drank  wine,  and  were  merry.  And  when 
they  had  made  an  end  of  eating  and  drinking, 
King  Evander  spake,  saying,  "  This  great 
feast,  my  friend,  we  hold  not  without  good 
reason,  which  thou  shalt  now  hear  from  me. 
Seest  thou  this  great  ruin  of  rocks  ?  Here  in 
old  time  was  a  cave,  running  very  deep  into  the 
cliff,  wherein  Cacus  dwelt,  a  monster  but  half 
man,  whose  father  was  Vulcan.  The  ground 
thereof  reeked  with  blood,  and  at  the  mouth 
were  fixed  the  heads  of  dead  men.  Very  great 
of  stature  was  he,  and  breathed  out  fire  from 

13 


178  STORIES  FROM    VIRGIL. 

his  mouth.  To  this  land  came  Hercules,  driving 
before  him  the  oxen  of  Geryon,  whom  he  had 
slain.  And  when  he  had  left  these  to  feed  in 
the  valley  by  the  river,  Cacus,  that  he  might 
fill  up  the  measure  of  his  wickedness,  stole  four 
bulls  and  four  heifers,  the  very  chiefest  of  the 
herd.  And  that  he  might  conceal  the  thing, 
he  dragged  them  by  the  tails  backwards,  so  that 
the  tracks  led  not  to  the  cave.  But  it  chanced 
that  the  herd  made  a  great  bellowing  when 
Hercules  would  have  driven  them  away  in  the 
morning.  And  one  of  the  heifers  which  Cacus 
had  hidden  in  the  cave  bellowed  also,  making 
answer.  Then  was  Hercules  very  wroth,  and 
caught  up  in  his  hand  his  great  knotted  club,  and 
climbed  to  the  top  of  the  hill.  Then  was  Cacus 
sore  afraid,  and  fled  to  his  cave  swift  as  the 
wind,  fear  giving  wings  to  his  feet.  And  when 
he  was  come  thither,  he  shut  himself  therein, 
letting  fall  a  great  stone  which  he  had  caused  to 
hang  over  the  mouth  thereof  by  cunning  devices 
that  he  had  learned  from  his  father.  And  when 
Hercules  was  come  he  sought  to  find  entrance 
and  could  not ;  but  at  the  last  he  saw  one  of 
the  rocks  that  it  was  very  high  and  leaned  to 


KING  EVANDER.  179 


the  river.  This  he  pushed  from  the  other  side  . 
so  that  it  fell  with  a  great  crash  into  the  water. 
Then  did  the  whole  cave  of  Cacus  lie  open  to 
view,  horrible  to  behold,  as  though  the  earth 
were  to  open  her  mouth  and  show  the  regions 
of  the  dead.  And  first  Hercules  shot  at  the 
monster  with  arrows,  and  cast  boughs  and  great 
stones  at  him  ;  and  Cacus  vomited  forth  from 
his  mouth  fire  and  smoke,  filling  the  whole  cave. 
And  Hercules  endured  not  to  be  so  baffled,  but 
plunged  into  the  cave,  even  where  the  smoke 
was  thickest,  and  caught  him,  twining  his  arms 
and  legs  about  him,  and  strangled  him,  that  he 
died.  Of  which  deed,  O  my  friends,  we  keep 
the  remembrance  year  by  year.  Do  ye,  there- 
fore, join  in  our  feast,  putting  first  wreaths  of 
poplar  about  your  heads,  for  the  poplar  is  the 
tree  of  Hercules." 

So  they  feasted ;  and  the  priests,  even  the 
Salii,  being  in  two  companies,  young  and  old, 
sang  the  great  deeds  of  Hercules :  how,  being 
yet  an  infant,  he  strangled  the  snakes  that  Juno 
sent  to  slay  him,  and  overthrew  mighty  cities, 
and  endured  many  grievous  labours,  slaying  the 
Centaurs  and  the  lion  of  Nemea ;  and  how  he 


180  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

went  down  to  hell,  and  dragged  the  dog 
Cerberus  therefrom,  and  many  other  things 
likewise. 

And  at  even  they  went  back  to  the  city,  and 
as  they  went  Evander  told  iEneas  many  things 
concerning  the  country :  how  of  old  a  savage 
race  dwelt  therein,  living  even  as  the  beasts,, 
whom  Saturn,  flying  from  his  son  Jupiter,  first 
taught,  giving  them  customs  and  laws;  and  how 
other  kings  also  had  borne  rule  over  them 
and  how  he  himself  had  come  to  the  land  at  the 
bidding  of  Apollo.  Also  he  showed  him  the 
city  which  he  had  founded,  and  the  places 
thereof :  very  famous  were  they  in  after-time, 
when  mighty  Rome  was  builded,  even  on  the 
selfsame  ground.  And  when  they  came  to 
his  palace  he  said,  "  Hercules  entered  this 
dwelling,  though  indeed  it  be  small  and  lowly. 
Think  not,  then,  overmuch  of  riches,  and  so 
make  thyself  worthy  to  ascend  to  heaven,  as  he 
also  ascended." 

Then  he  led  him  within  the  palace,  and  bade 
him  rest  on  a  couch,  whereon  was  spread  the 
skin  of  an  African  bear. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE    ARMS    OF    .ENEAS. 

Very  early  the  next  morning  the  old  man 
Evander  rose  up  from  his  bed,  and  donned  his 
tunic,  and  bound  his  Tuscan  sandals  on  his  feet, 
and  girt  his  Tegean  sword  to  his  side,  flinging 
a  panther's  hide  over  his  left  shoulder.  Pallas, 
his  son,  also  went  with  him.  And  two  hounds, 
Avhich  lay  by  his  chamber,  followed  him.  For 
he  would  fain  have  speech  with  /Eneas,  whom, 
indeed,  he  found  astir,  and  Achates  with  him. 
Then  spake  Evander :  "  Great  chief  of  Troy, 
good  will  have  we,  but  scanty  means  ;  for  our 
folk  are  few  and  our  bounds  narrow.  But  I  will 
tell  thee  of  a  great  people  and  a  wealthy,  with 
whom  thou  mavest  make  alliance.  Nis;h  to  this 
place  is  the  famous  city  Agylla,  which  the  men  of 
Lydia,  settling  in  this  land  of  Etruria,  builded 
.aforetime.  Now  of  this  Agylla  Mezentius  was 
king,    who    surpassed  all  men    in  wickedness. 

181 


182  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

For  he  would  join  a  living  man  to  a  dead  corpser 
and  so  leave  him  to  perish  miserably.  But 
after  awhile  the  citizens  rebelled,  saying  that 
he  should  not  reign  over  them,  and  slew  his 
guards  and  burnt  his  palace.  But  on  him  they 
laid  not  hands,  for  he  fled  to  Prince  Turnus. 
Therefore  there  is  war  between  Turnus  and 
Agylla.  Now  in  this  war  thou  shalt  be  leader ; 
for  as  yet,  when  they  would  have  gone  forth 
to  battle,  the  soothsayers  have  hindered  them, 
saying,  'Though  your  wrath  against  Mezentius 
be  just,  yet  must  no  man  of  Italy  lead  this 
people ;  but  look  you  for  a  stranger.'  And  they 
would  fain  have  had  me  for  their  leader,  but 
I  am  old  and  feeble.  And  my  son  Pallas  also 
is  akin  to  them,  seeing  that  he  was  born  of  a 
Sabine  mother.  But  thou  art  in  thy  prime,  and 
altogether  a  stranger  in  race.  Wherefore  take 
this  office  upon  thyself.  Pallas  also  shall  go 
with  thee,  and  learn  from  thee  to  bear  himself 
as  a  warrior.  Also  I  will  send  with  thee  two 
hundred  chosen  horsemen,  and  Pallas  will  give 
thee  as  many." 

And   even  before    he  had  made  an  end  of 
speaking,  Venus  gave  them  a  sign,  even  thunder 


THE  ARMS  OF  APNEAS.  183 

in  a  clear  sky ;  and  there  was  heard  a  voice 
as  of  a  Tuscan  trumpet,  and  when  they 
looked  to  the  heavens,  lo !  there  was  a  flash- 
ing of  arms. 

And  /Eneas  knew  the  sign  and  the  interpreta- 
tion thereof,  even  that  he  should  prosper  in  that 
to  which  he  set  his  hand.  Therefore  he  bade 
Evander  be  of  good  cheer.  Then  again  they 
did  sacrifice,  and  afterwards  /Eneas  returned  to 
his  companions,  of  whom  he  chose  some,  and 
them  the  bravest,  who  should  go  with  him  to 
Agylla,  and  the  rest  he  bade  return  to  lulus,  to 
the  camp. 

But  when  he  was  now  ready  to  departr 
Evander  took  him  by  the  hand,  saying,  "  O 
that  Jupiter  would  give  me  back  the  years  that 
are  gone,  when  I  slew,  under  Prseneste,  King 
Erulus,  to  whom  at  his  birth  his  mother, 
Feronia,  gave  three  lives.  Thrice  must  he 
needs  be  slain,  and  thrice  I  slew  him.  Then 
had  I  not  been  parted  from  thee,  my  son,  nor 
had  the  wicked  Mezentius  slain  so  many  of 
my  people.  And  now,  may  the  Gods  hear  my 
prayer :  If  it  be  their  pleasure  that  Pallas 
should  come  back,  may  I  live  to  see  it ;  but  if 


STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 


not,  may  I  die  even  now  while  I  hold  thee  in 
my  arms,  my  son,  my  one  and  only  joy." 

And  his  spirit  left  the  old  man,  and  they 
carried  him  into  the  palace.  Then  the  horse- 
men rode  out  from  the  gates,  with  Pallas  in  the 
midst,  adorned  with  mantle  and  blazoned  arms, 
fair  as  the  Morning  Star,  which  Venus  loves 
beyond  all  others  in  the  sky.  The  women 
stood  watching  them  from  the  walls,  while  they 
shouted  aloud  and  galloped  across  the  plain. 
And  after  a  while  they  came  to  a  grove,  near  to 
which  the  Etruscans  and  Tarchon,  their  leader, 
had  pitched  their  camp. 

Now  in  the  mean  time  Venus  had  bestirred 
herself  for  her  son,  for  while  he  slept  in  the 
palace  of  Evander  she  spake  to  her  husband, 
even  Vulcan,  saying,  "  While  the  Greeks  were 
fighting  against  Troy,  I  sought  not  thy  help, 
for  I  would  not  that  thou  shouldst  labour  in 
vain ;  but  now  that  iEneas  is  come  to  Italy 
by  the  command  of  the  Gods,  I  ask  thee  that 
thou  shouldst  make  arms  and  armour  for 
my  son.  This  Aurora  asked  for  Memnon ; 
this  Thetis  for  Achilles,  and  thou  grantedst  it 
to  them.   And  now  thou  seest  how  the  nations 


THE  ARMS  OF  AZNEAS.  185 

join  themselves  to  destroy  him.  Wherefore  I 
pray  thee  to  help  me."  And  he  hearkened  to 
her  voice.  Therefore  when  the  morning  was 
come,  very  early,  even  as  a  woman  who  maketh 
her  living-  bv  the  distaff  riseth  and  kindleth  her 
fire,  and  giveth  tasks  to  her  maidens,  that  she 
may  provide  for  her  husband  and  her  children, 
even  so  Vulcan  rose  betimes  to  his  work.  Now 
there  is  an  island,  Lipare,  nigh  unto  the  shore 
of  Sicily,  and  there  the  god  had  set  up  his 
furnace  and  anvil,  and  the  Cyclopes  were  at 
work,  forging  thunderbolts  for  Jupiter,  whereof 
one  remained  half  wrought.  Three  parts  of 
hail  had  they  used,  and  three  of  rain-cloud,  and 
three  of  red  fire  and  the  south  wind ;  and  now 
they  were  adding  to  it  lightning,  and  noise,  and 
fear,  and  wrath,  with  avenging  flames.  And 
elsewhere  they  wrought  a  chariot  for  Mars,  and 
a  shirt  of  mail  for  Minerva,  even  the  iEgis,  with 
golden  scales  as  of  a  serpent,  and  in  the  midst 
the  Gorgon's  head,  lopped  at  the  nape,  with 
rolling  eyes.  But  the  god  cried,  "  Cease  ye 
your  toils.  Ye  must  make  arms  for  a  hero." 
Then  they  all  bent  them  to  their  toil.  Then 
bronze,  and  gold,  and   iron  flowed  in  streams ; 


1 86  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

and  some  plied  the  bellows,  and  others  dipped 
the  hissing  mass  in  water,  and  a  third  turned 
the  ore  in  griping  pincers. 

A  helmet  they  made  with  nodding  crest,  that 
blazed  like  fire,and  a  sword,  and  a  cuirass  of  ruddy 
bronze,  and  greaves  of  gold  molten  many  times, 
and  a  spear,  and  a  shield  whereon  was  wrought 
a  marvellous  story  of  things  to  come.  For  the 
god  had  set  forth  all  the  story  of  Rome.  There 
lay  the  she-wolf  in  the  cave  of  Mars,  suckling  the 
twin  babes  that  feared  her  not — and  she,  bending 
back  her  neck,  licked  them  with  her  tongue  ;  and 
there  the  men  of  Rome  carried  off  the  Sabine 
virgins  to  be  their  wives  ;  and  hard  by  the  battle 
raged,and  there  again  the  kings  made  peace  toge- 
ther, with  offerings  and  sacrifice.  Also  there  were 
wrought  the  chariots  that  tore  asunder  Mettus  of 
Alba  for  his  treachery,  and  Porsenna  bidding  the 
Romans  take  back  their  king,  besieging  the  city, 
but  the  men  of  Rome  stood  in  arms  against  him. 
Angry  and  threatening  stood  the  king  to  see 
how  Codes  broke  down  the  bridge,  and  Cloelia 
burst  her  bonds  to  swim  across  the  river.  There 
Manlius  stood  to  guard  the  Capitol,  and  a  goose 
of  silver  napped  his  wings  in  arcades  of  gold, 


THE  ARMS  OF  APNEAS.  187 

and  showed  the  Gauls  at  hand.  And  they, 
under  cover  of  the  darkness,  were  climbing 
through  the  thickets  even  to  the  ridge  of  the 
hill.  Their  hair  was  wrought  in  gold,  in  gold 
their  raiment ;  and  their  cloaks  were  of  divers 
colours  crossed ;  milk-white  their  necks  and 
clasped  with  gold ;  two  spears  had  each  and  an 
oblong  shield.  Likewise  he  wrought  the  dwell- 
ings of  the  dead,  of  the  just  and  of  the  unjust. 
Here  Catiline  hung  from  the  rock  while  the 
Furies  threatened  him ;  there  Cato  gave  the 
people  laws.  And  all  about  was  the  sea  wrought 
in  gold ;  but  the  waves  were  blue,  and  white 
the  foam,  and  therein  sported  dolphins  of  silver. 
But  in  the  midst  was  wrought  a  great  battle  of 
ships  at  the  cape  of  Actium.  On  the  one  side 
Augustus  led  the  men  of  Italy  to  battle,  stand- 
ing very  high  on  the  stern  of  the  ship.  From 
either  temple  of  his  head  blazed  forth  a  fire. 
And  Agrippa  also  led  on  his  array  with  a  naval 
crown  about  his  head.  And  on  the  other  side 
stood  Antony,  having  with  him  barbarous 
soldiers  arrayed  in  divers  fashions,  and  leading 
to  battle  Egypt  and  Persia  and  the  armies  of 
the    East ;   and  lo !    behind  him — a   shameful 


STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 


sight — his  Egyptian  wife.  But  in  another  part 
the  battle  raged,  and  all  the  sea  was  in  a  foam 
with  oars  and  triple  beaks.  It  seemed  as  though 
islands  were  torn  from  their  places,  or  mountain 
clashed  against  mountain,  so  great  was  the  shock 
of  the  ships.  And  all  about  flew  javelins  with 
burning  tow,  and  the  sea  was  red  with  blood. 
In  the  midst  stood  Queen  Cleopatra,  with  a 
timbrel  in  her  hand,  and  called  her  armies  to 
the  battle :  behind  her  you  might  see  the  snakes 
by  whose  bite  she  should  die.  And  on  one  side 
the  dog  Anubis,  with  other  monstrous  shapes 
of  gods,  and  over  against  them  Neptune,  and 
Venus,  and  Minerva.  And  in  the  midst  Mars 
was  seen  to  rage  embossed  in  steel  ;  and  the 
Furies  hovered  above,  and  Discord  stalked 
with  garment  rent,  while  high  above  Apollo 
stretched  his  bow,  and  Egyptian  and  Indian 
and  Arab  fled  before  him.  And  in  a  third 
place  great  Caesar  rode  through  Rome  in 
triumph,  and  the  city  was  full  of  joy,  and  the 
matrons  were  gathered  in  the  temples  ;  and 
through  the  street  there  passed  a  long  array 
of  nations  that  he  had  conquered,  from  the  east, 
and  from  the   west,   and  from  the  north,  and 


THE  ARMS  OF  jENEAS.  189 

from    the  south.     Such  was  the  shield  which 
Vulcan  wrought. 

And  Venus,  when  she  saw  her  son  that  none 
was  with  him, — for  he  had  wandered  apart 
from  his  companions, — brought  the  arms  and 
laid  them  down  before  him,  saying,  "  See  the 
arms  that  I  promised  I  would  give  thee.  These 
my  husband,  the  Fire-god,  hath  wrought  for 
thee.  With  these  thou  needst  shun  no  enemy ; 
no,  not  Turnus  himself."  Right  glad  was  he  to 
see  them,  and  fitted  them  upon  him,  and  swung 
the  shield  upon  his  shoulder,  nor  knew  what 
mighty  fates  of  his  children  he  bare  thereon. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


NISUS    AND    EURYALUS. 


But  Juno,  ever  seeking  occasion  against  the 
men  of  Troy,  sent  Iris,  the  messenger  of  the 
Gods,  to  Turnus,  as  he  sat  in  the  grove  of 
Pilumnus  his  father.  Iris  said,  "  That  which 
none  of  the  Gods  had  dared  to  promise  thee, 
lo  !  time  itself  hath  brought.  yEneas  hath  left 
his  companions  and  his  ship,  seeking  the  city  of 
Evander,  yea,  and  the  Tuscans  also.  Do  thou, 
therefore,  take  the  occasion  and  surprise  the 
camp  while  he  is  yet  absent." 

And  she  spread  her  wings  and  mounted  to 
heaven  by  the  arch  of  the  rainbow,  and  Turnus 
cried,  "  I  know  thee,  goddess,  and  follow  thy 
sign."  And  having  first  washed  his  hands,  he 
prayed  and  vowed  his  vows  to  the  Gods. 

So  the  army  went  forth  to  the  battle.  Messa- 
pus  led  the  first  line,  and  the  sons  of  Tyrrheus  the 
rear  ;  and  in  the  midst  was  Turnus.     And  the 


NISUS  AND   EURYALUS.  191 

men  of  Troy  saw  a  great  cloud  of  dust  upon 
the  plain,  and  Cai'cus  cried  from  the  walls, "  What 
meaneth  this  cloud  that  I  see  ?  To  arms,  my 
friends.  Climb  the  walls.  The  enemy  is  at  hand." 
Then  did  the  men  of  Troy  shut  the  gates  and 
man  the  walls.  For  so  had  iEneas  commanded 
them,  saying,  "  Fight  not,  whatever  befall,  in 
battle,  nor  trust  yourselves  to  the  plain,  but 
defend  your  walls."  Therefore  they  shut  their 
gates,  and  waited  till  the  enemy  should  come 
near.  And  Turnus,  on  a  horse  of  Thrace,  rode 
first,  and  twenty  youths  with  him  ;  and  he  cried, 
"  Is  there  a  man  who  will  first  venture  the 
attack?"  and  he  threw  his  javelin,  making  a 
beginning  of  battle,  and  his  companions  shouted 
aloud.  Much  they  marvelled  that  the  men  of 
Troy  kept  them  within  the  walls  and  came  not 
forth  to  the  battle.  And  Turnus  ever  regarded 
the  walls,  how  he  might  enter  therein.  Even 
as  a  wolf  prowleth  round  the  fold  at  midnight, 
while  the  lambs  within  bleat,  being  safe  by  their 
mothers,  but  he  rageth  without  to  hear  them, 
being  mad  with  wrath  and  hunger,  and  his 
tongue  is  athirst  for  blood,  even  so  did  Turnus 
rage  round  the  camp,  and  cast  about  how  he 


192  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

might  draw  forth  the  men  of  Troy  into  the 
plain.  And  at  the  last  he  bethought  him  of  the 
ships,  which  lay  at  the  camp's  side,  and  called 
for  torches  of  pine,  and  the  people  followed  him 
with  a  shout,  and  the  smoke  rose  up  to  the 
heavens. 

Then  did  a  marvellous  thing  befall.  Now  in 
the  days  when  zEneas  was  building  his  ships 
upon  Mount  Ida,  Cybele,  mother  of  the  Gods, 
spake  to  Jupiter,  saying  "  Grant,  my  son,  that 
these  ships,  which  yEneas  builded  of  my  pine- 
trees, — for  these  have  I  given  to  him  freely, — 
may  be  safe  from  winds  and  waves."  But  Jupiter 
answered,  "  What  is  this  that  thou  askest,  my 
mother  ?  Wouldst  thou  have  immortality  for 
mortal  ships  ?  Not  so.  But  this  I  grant :  that 
whichsoever  of  these  shall  come  safe  to  the  land 
of  Italy  shall  become  Nymphs  of  the  sea."  And 
now  the  day  was  come.  Wherefore  there  was 
heard  an  awful  voice,  saying,  "  Fear  not,  men 
of  Troy  ;  nor  care  to  defend  your  ships,"  and 
to  the  ships,  "  Go  !  henceforth  ye  are  Nymphs 
of  the  sea.  And  lo  !  straightway  the  cables 
brake,  and  where  the  ships  had  been  were  the 
shapes  of  women,  for  each  ship  a  woman. 


NTS  US  AND  EURYALUS.  193 

Much  did  the  Latins  wonder  to  behold  the 
thing,  and  Tiber  stayed  his  stream  to  see  it 
But  Turnus  trembled  not,  crying,  "  This  marvel 
meaneth  evil  for  the  men  of  Troy.  Their  ships 
abide  not  our  attack.  Nor  have  they  any 
longer  that  wherewith  they  may  flee  from  us. 
And  as  for  fate,  I  heed  it  not.  It  was  the  fate 
of  the  men  of  Troy  that  they  should  touch  the 
land  of  Italy.  It  is  my  fate  that  I  should 
destroy  the  accursed  race.  They  rob  me  of 
my  wife.  That  wrong  toucheth  others  besides 
Menelaus.  Surely,  it  had  been  enough  to  perish 
once.  But  why,  then,  will  they  sin  again  ?  It 
had  been  well  had  they  loathed  thereafter  all 
womankind.  Or  do  they  think  that  this  ram- 
part shall  protect  them  ?  Did  they  not  see  the 
walls  which  Neptune  builded  settle  down  in  the 
fire  ?  And  now,  who  cometh  with  me  to  storm 
their  camp  ?  I  need  not  arms  from  Vulcan's 
forge,  or  a  thousand  ships.  Deeds  of  darkness 
and  of  stealth  they  need  not  fear.  We  will  not 
hide  us  in  a  Horse  of  wood.  In  daylight  will 
we  burn  their  walls.  For  surely  the  youth  of 
Italy  is  not  as  the  youth  of  Greece,  whom 
Hector  kept  at  bay  for  ten  years."     Then  he 

14 


194  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

commanded  that  they  should  lay  siege  to  the 
camp  ;  and  Messapus  he  sat  to  watch  the  gate, 
and  fourteen  Rutulian  chiefs,  with  each  a  hun- 
dred youths,  kept  guard  on  the  walls.  So  all 
the  night  they  watched,  and  feasted,  and  drank, 
and  made  merry. 

But  the  men  of  Troy  laboured  meanwhile, 
making  strong  the  gates  and  the  towers  of  the 
walls.  And  Mnestheus  and  Sergestus  were  in- 
stant with  command  and  exhortation,  for  iEneas 
had  appointed  them  to  this  thing  should  any 
need  arise,  he  being  absent. 

Now  the  keeper  of  the  gate  was  Nisus,  a 
valiant  man  of  war,  and  with  him  Euryalus,  the 
goodliest  youth  among  the  men  of  Troy  ;  and 
great  love  was  between  them.  And  as  they 
watched,  Nisus  said,  "  Whether  it  be  a  bid- 
ding of  the  Gods,  or  prompting  of  my  own  heart, 
I  know  not,  but  I  have  a  great  desire  to  do 
somewhat  this  night.  Seest  thou  how  the  enemy 
lie  asleep  and  drunken  ?  Can  I  not  win  some 
honour  hence,  and  carry  the  tidings  of  these 
things  to  ^Eneas  ?  For  yonder  by  the  hill 
lieth  the  way  to  the  city  of  Evander." 

Then  Euryalus    made    answer  :    "  Nay,  but 


NTS  US  AND  EURYALUS.  195 

thou  goest  not  alone,  Nisus,  nor  leavest  me. 
My  father  Opheltes  trained  me  not  to  such 
baseness,  nor  have  I  so  borne  myself  in  thy 
company.  And  truly  I  should  count  life  well 
lost  for  such  honour." 

Then  said  Nisus:  "I  thought  not  so  ill  of 
thee.  So  may  Jupiter  bring  me  back  in  safety 
and  honour.  Yet  should  some  mischance  befall 
I  would  that  thou  yet  shouldst  live,  to  buy  my 
body  back,  or,  if  that  may  not  be,  to  pay  due 
honour  to  my  spirit.  Think,  too,  of  thy  mother, 
who,  alone  of  all  thy  mothers  of  Troy,  hath,  for 
love  of  thee,  come  to  this  land  of  Italy." 

But  Euryalus  said  :  "  Thou  makest  idle  ex- 
cuses, for  I  am  steadfastly  purposed  to  go.  Let 
us  hasten,  therefore."  So  they  woke  those  who 
should  take  their  places  at  the  gate,  and  sought 
speech  of  the  chiefs.  These  indeed  were  hold- 
ing counsel,  and  stood  leaning  on  their  spears  in 
the  midst  of  the  camp.  And  Nisus  said  that 
he  had  somewhat  to  say,  and  that  the  matter 
pressed.  Then  lulus  bade  him  speak  ;  and  he 
made  answer :  "  The  enemy  lie  sleeping  and 
drunken  about  the  walls,  and  the  fires  are  ex- 
tinguished.    If  fortune  favour  us  we  will  win  our 


196  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

way  to  yEneas,  to  the  city  of  Evander,  and 
slay  many,  and  take  much  spoil  likewise.  The 
way  indeed  we  know,  having  learnt  it  while  we 
hunted  in  these  parts."  Then  the  old  man 
Aletes  said  :  "  Surely,  Troy  hath  not  altogether 
perished,  having  yet  such  hearts  as  yours." 
And  he  threw  his  arms  about  them,  weeping. 
And  lulus  said,  "  Bring  back  my  father,  and 
all  shall  be  well.  And  I  will  give  you  two  cups 
of  silver  embossed  with  figures  of  men,  which 
my  father  took  from  the  city  of  Arisba.  And 
if  we  subdue  this  land  of  Italy,  thou,  Nisus, 
shalt  have  the  horses  and  the  arms  of  Turnus, 
and  twelve  women-captives  likewise,  and  twelve 
men  with  their  arms,  and  the  domain  of  King 
Latinus.  And  thou,  Euryalus,  who  art  nearer 
of  age  to  me,  shalt  be  next  to  myself  in  all 
things." 

Then  Euryalus  made  answer :  "  One  thing 
I  ask  thee  more.  I  have  a  mother,  of  the 
lineage  of  Priam.  To  her  I  say  not  fare- 
well, not  being  able  to  endure  her  tears.  Do 
thou  care  for  her,  if  she  be  bereaved  of  me." 
And  lulus  said :  "  She  shall  be  as  my  mother 
to  me." 


NTS  US  AND  EURYALUS.  197 


Then  he  gave  him  his  own  sword,  with  its 
scabbard  of  ivory,  and  Mnestheus  gave  to  Nisus 
a  lion's  skin,  and  Aletes  a  helmet.  And  all  went 
with  them  to  the  gates,  with  many  prayers  and 
vows ;  also  lulus,  being  wise  beyond  his  years, 
sent  many  messages  to  his  father. 

Then  they  crossed  the  moat,  and  came  upon 
the  enemy  as  they  slept,  Nisus  being  before, 
and  Euryalus  keeping  watch  lest  any  should 
assail  them  from  behind.  And  first  Nisus 
slew  Rhamnes  as  he  slept :  an  augur  he  was, 
whom  Turnus  most  trusted,  yet  he  knew  not 
his  own  doom.  Next  he  slew  the  three  servants 
and  the  armour-bearer  and  the  charioteer  of 
Remus,  and,  after,  Remus  himself,  cutting  off 
his  head.  Others  also  he  slew,  and  among  them 
Serranus,  a  fair  youth,  who  had  been  foremost 
in  his  sport  that  night.  It  had  been  well  for 
him  had  he  prolonged  it  even  unto  dawn. 
Many  also  did  Euryalus  slay,  all  of  them  in  their 
sleep,  save  Rhcetus  only,  who,  being  awake, 
would  fain  have  hidden  himself  behind  a  great 
jar,  but  could  not.  But  when  he  would  have 
assailed  Messapus  and  his  comrades,  Nisus, 
seeing   that    he  was  mastered  by  the  love    of 


STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 


slaughter,  cried  aloud,  "  Cease :  the  day  ap- 
proacheth.  It  is  enough  that  we  have  made  us 
a  way  through  the  enemy."  Much  spoil  did 
they  leave  behind  them  ;  but  Euryalus  took  a 
sword-belt  with  knobs  of  gold  from  Rhamnes 
— Caedicus  gave  it  to  Remulus  of  Tibur, 
and  he  to  his  grandson,  from  whom  Rhamnes 
had  won  it  in  war — and  put  on  his  head  the 
helmet  of  Messapus.  So  they  departed  from 
the  camp. 

But  it  so  chanced  that  three  hundred  horse- 
men, with  Volscens  their  leader,  were  riding  to 
the  camp  from  the  city.  And  as  they  came  nigh„ 
one  of  them  espied,  in  the  light  of  the  moon„ 
the  helmet  which  Euryalus,  being  but  a  youth 
and  unwary,  had  put  on  him.  And  Volscens 
cried,  "  Who  are  ye  ?     Whither  do  ye  go  ?  " 

But  they  answered  nothing,  making  haste 
to  fly.  Then  Volscens  commanded  that  they 
should  keep  the  wood  on  every  side.  Very 
thick  it  was  with  dark  ilex-trees  and  brambles. 
And  Euryalus,  indeed,  being  laden  with  his 
spoil  and  fearful,  wandered  from  the  way,  but 
Nisus  got  himself  clear.  But  when  he  came  to 
the  stalls  where  they  kept  the  cattle  of  King 


NISUS  AND  EURYALUS.  199 

Latinus,  he  knew  himself  to  be  alone,  and 
looked  round  for  his  companion,  but  saw  him 
not.  Then  returning  he  searched  through  the 
wood  till  he  heard  the  sound  of  horsemen  ap- 
proaching ;  and  lo  !  Euryalus  was  in  the  midst, 
seeking  to  get  free,  but  could  not.  Forthwith, 
having  first  prayed  to  Diana  that  she  would 
help  him,  if  perchance  he  might  scatter  this 
company,  he  cast  his  spear.  It  pierced  the 
back  of  Sulmo,  and  passed  even  through  his 
heart.  And  while  they  all  looked,  lo  I  another 
spear,  and  it  pierced  the  head  of  Tagus  from 
temple  to  temple.  Very  wroth  was  Volscens  to 
see  such  slaughter,  and  know  not  how  it  befell ; 
and  he  cried,  "  Thou  at  least  shalt  suffer  for 
these  deeds,"  and  flew  upon  Euryalus.  This 
could  not  Nisus  endure  to  see,  but  rushed  from 
his  hiding-place,  and  cried,  "  Lo !  I  am  the  man 
who  wrought  this  slaughter.  Turn  your  swords 
against  me.  He  did  not,  nay,  he  could  not 
do  such  deeds.  He  did  but  follow  his  friend. " 
But  not  the  less  did  the  sword  of  Volscens 
pierce  the  side  of  Euryalus  ;  and  the  blood 
gushed  out  over  his  fair  body,  and  his  head 
drooped,  even  as  a  flower,  which  the  plough- 


200  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

share  cuts  in  the  field,  or  a  poppy  whose  stalk 
is  broken.  Then  rushed  Nisus  into  the  midst, 
thinking  only  how  he  might  slay  Volscens  ;  nor 
could  the  enemy  stay  him,  but  that  he  thrust 
his  sword  into  his  mouth  and  slew  him.  And 
afterwards,  being  pierced  with  many  wounds,  he 
fell  dead  upon  the  body  of  his  friend. 

But  when  the  horsemen  were  come  to  the 
camp,  they  found  the  slaughter  that  had  been 
done.  And  when  the  day  dawned  they  set  the 
battle  in  array  against  the  men  of  Troy,  and 
the  heads  of  Nisus  and  Euryalus  they  fixed 
upon  poles,  and  showed  them. 

But  when  the  report  of  these  things  came  to 
the  ears  of  the  mother  of  Euryalus,  she  threw 
down  her  distaff,  and  hasted  through  the  camp; 
and  coming  to  the  wall,  she  cried,  "  Is  it  thus  I 
see  thee,  my  son  ?  Why  was  it  not  granted  to 
me  to  bid  thee  farewell  ?  And  now  I  may  not 
close  thine  eyes  or  wrap  thee  in  the  garments 
which  I  have  made,  solacing  my  cares  with  the 
labours  of  the  loom.  Slay  me  with  your  spears, 
ye  Latins  ;  or  thou,  great  Jupiter,  smite  me 
with  thy  thunder,  since  I  may  not  rid  me  other- 
wise of  this  hateful  life.  " 


NISUS  AND  EURYALUS.  201 

But  when  with  her  wailing  she  touched  the 
hearts  of  the  men  so  that  they  forgat  their 
valour,  Ilioneus  and  Itilus  commanded  Idaeus 
and  Actor  that  they  should  lay  hands  upon  her 
and  carry  her  to  her  dwelling. 


CHAPTER   XXI. 

THE    BATTLE    AT    THE    CAMP. 

And  now  the  trumpet  gave  the  signal  for  battle. 
First  the  Volscians  drew  near  to  the  wall. 
These  held  their  shields  over  their  heads,  join- 
ing them  in  close  array  so  that  they  were  like 
unto  the  shell  of  a  tortoise,  and  they  that  bare 
them  filled  the  moat  and  pulled  down  the  wall. 
And  some  would  have  mounted  the  walls  on 
ladders ;  while  the  men  of  Troy  cast  spears  at 
them  and  thrust  at  them  with  poles,  being  in- 
deed well  used  to  the  manner  of  such  a  fight 
from  walls.  But  on  the  covering  of  shields 
they  threw  down  a  huge  block,  breaking  it 
through  and  scattering  the  men,  who  would  not 
indeed  fight  any  more  in  such  fashion,  but  cast 
all  manner  of  javelins  and  the  like  against  the 
men  of  Troy.  And  Mezentius  the  Tuscan  came 
on,  shaking  a  lighted  torch  of  pine  in  his  hand, 
and  Messapus  tore  down  the  rampart  and  called 


THE  BATTLE  AT   THE  CAMP.  203 

for  a  scaling-ladder,  that  he  might  mount  up 
into  the  breach. 

Now  there  was  a  tower  upon  the  wall,  which 
the  Italians  sought  to  take,  and  the  men  of 
Troy  to  defend  it  cast  stones  and  darts  through 
the  loopholes  thereof.  On  to  this  Turnus  cast 
a  torch,  setting  fire  to  the  wall,  and  the  flame, 
the  wind  fanningit,  climbed  from  story  to  story. 
And  when  they  that  were  therein  fled  to  the 
part  that  was  yet  unconsumed,  lo !  the  whole 
tower  fell  forward,  and  all  perished,  two  only 
escaping,  Helenor  and  Lycus.  And  Helenor 
was  the  elder,  and  when  he  saw  that  the  enemy 
was  about  him  on  every  side,  then,  even  as  a 
beast  which  the  hunters  compass  about  with  a 
great  ring  waxeth  desperate  and  flingeth  him- 
self over  the  nets  upon  their  spears,  so  he  threw 
himself  on  the  ranks  of  the  Latins  where  the 
spears  were  thickest,  and  so  died.  But  Lycus 
was  very  swift  of  foot,  and  won  even  as  far  as 
the  wall,  and  would  fain  have  climbed  thereon. 
But  Turnus  caught  him,  crying,  "  Thinkest 
thou  to  escape  me  ?"  and  he  laid  hands  upon 
him  as  he  hung  from  the  wall,  dragging  down 
much  wall  likewise :  even  as  an  eagle  seizes  a 


204  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

swan  or  a  wolf  a  lamb,  so  he  seized  him. 
Then  did  the  battle  wax  fiercer  and  fiercer,  and 
many  fell  on  this  side  and  on  that.  For  Ilioneus 
smote  Lucetius  when  he  would  have  set  fire 
to  the  gates,  and  Capys  slew  Privernus,  and 
Mezentius,  having  cast  away  his  spear,  smote 
the  son  of  Arcens  with  a  bullet  of  lead  from 
his  sling. 

And  now  lulus,  having  used  his  bow  afore- 
time  on  beasts  of  the  field  only,  now  first  drew  it 
against  a  man,  even  against  Numanus,  who  had 
to  wife  the  sister  of  Turnus.  For  this  Numanus, 
thinking  himself  to  be  some  great  one,  stood  in 
the  front  rank,  and  defied  the  men  of  Troy, 
saying,  "  Are  ye  not  ashamed,  ye  that  have 
already  been  twice  conquered,  now  to  be  be- 
sieged again  ?  What  madness  brought  you  to 
Italy  ?  We  are  a  hardy  race,  for  our  new-born 
babes  are  dipped  in  the  stream,  and  our  boys 
are  hunters  in  the  woods ;  and  when  we  be 
men  our  hands  are  ever  on  the  ploughshare  or 
the  sword,  yea,  and  old  age  subdues  us  not, 
for  when  our  hair  is  white  yet  do  we  cover  it 
with  the  helmet.  But  ye  with  your  mantles 
of  purple  and  saffron,  and  sleeved  tunics,  and 


THE  BATTLE  AT   THE  CAMP.  205. 

ribboned  mitres,  lovers  of  sleep  and  of  the 
dance,  ye  men,  nay  rather  ye  women,  of 
Phrygia,  what  do  ye  here  ?" 

But  the  young  lulus  endured  not  to  hear  such 
boasting.  He  fixed  an  arrow  in  his  bow  and 
drew  the  string,  which  was  of  horsehair,  and  ere 
he  let  fly,  he  cried  to  Jupiter,  "  Help  me  now, 
great  Father,  so  will  I  bring,  year  by  year,  to 
thy  temple  a  steer  with  gilded  horns."  And 
Jupiter  heard,  and  thundered  on  the  left  hand. 
And  now,  together  with  the  thunder,  clanged 
the  bow-string,  sending  death,  and  the  arrow 
hissed  in  the  air  and  smote  Numanus  through 
the  head,  even  from  temple  to  temple.  "  This 
is  the  answer  that  the  twice-conquered  men  of 
Troy  send  thee."  So  cried  the  young  Iiilus, 
and  all  the  people  shouted  for  joy.  And  Apollo, 
where  he  sat  in  heaven  and  regarded  the  battle, 
spake,  "  Go  thou  on  as  thou  beginnest,  child 
and  father  of  gods  :  'tis  thus  that  the  race  of 
Troy  shall  hereafter  bring  all  wars  to  an  end.' 
Then  he  came  down  from  heaven  into  the 
camp  of  Troy,  and  took  upon  himself  the  shape 
of  the  old  man  Butes :  he  had  been  aforetime 
the  armour-bearer  of  Anchises,  and    now    fol- 


206  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

lowed  lulus.  And  the  god  spake,  saying,  "It 
is  enough  that  thou  hast  slain  the  boaster 
Numanus.  The  archer  Apollo  envieth  thee 
not  this  glory.  But  tempt  the  battle  no  more." 
So  saying  he  vanished  out  of  their  sight.  But 
the  chiefs  knew  him  who  he  was,  yea,  and 
heard  the  rattle  of  his  quiver  as  he  departed. 
And  they  suffered  not  lulus  to  draw  his  bow 
again.  But  all  the  more  the  battle  raged  along 
the  walls. 

Now  there  were  two  youths,  sons  of  Alcanor 
of  Mount  Ida,  tall  as  pine-trees;  and  their 
names  were  Pandarus  and  Bitias.  These  having 
charge  of  the  gate  opened  it,  and  standing  on 
the  right  hand  and  on  the  left,  even  as  towers, 
bade  the  enemy  enter.  And  many  of  these, 
seeing  the  open  gate,  rushed  forward,  but  fell 
slain  upon  the  threshold.  And  now  the  men 
of  Troy  took  heart,  and  pressed  on  beyond  the 
walls. 

But  when  Turnus  heard  tidings  of  these 
things  he  made  haste  to  the  gate.  And  first  he 
slew  Antiphates,  who  was  a  son  of  Sarpedon, 
and  others  also,  and  Bitias  himself  with  them. 
Not  with  a  javelin  did  he  slay  him  (no  javelin 


THE  BATTLE  AT   THE  CAMP.  207 


had  done  such  deed),  but  with  a  great  spear  of 
Saguntum,  having  a  point  of  a  cubit's  length. 
Through  two  bulls'  hides  it  passed  and  two 
folds  of  his  coat  of  mail.  With  a  great  crash 
he  fell,  and  his  shield  upon  him,  even  as  falls 
a  great  pile  which  men  set  up  in  the  bay  of 
Baiae.  So  Bitias  fell ;  and  Pandarus,  his  brother, 
seeins"  that  things  fared  ill  with  the  men  of 
Troy,  shut-to  the  gate,  thrusting  it  into  its 
place  with  his  broad  shoulders.  Many  of  his 
companions  he  left  without  among  their 
enemies,  and  many  he  shut  in.  But  being 
blind  with  haste  and  fear,  he  saw  not  that  he 
shut  in  among  them  Prince  Turnus  himself. 
But  Turnus  raged  for  blood,  as  a  tiger  rageth 
among  herds  of  cattle,  and  the  men  of  Troy  fled 
before  him.  But  Pandarus  feared  not  to  meet 
him,  hoping  also  that  he  should  have  venge- 
ance for  his  brother.  And  he  cried, "  This  is  not 
thy  city  of  Ardea,  but  the  camp  of  thy  enemies. 
Hence  thou  goest  not  forth."  But  Turnus 
made  answer,  "  Begin,  if  thou  hast  any  valour  in 
thy  heart.  Thou  shalt  find  another  Achilles 
here. "  Then  Pandarus  cast  a  great  spear  with 
a  knotted  staff,  whereon  the  bark  was  left ;  but 


208  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

Juno  turned  it  aside,  so  that  it  fixed  itself  in  the 
gate.  And  Turnus  said,  "  My  weapon  thou 
escapest  not  thus,  nor  maketh  my  hand  such 
error. "  And  he  lifted  his  sword,  rising  to  the 
blow,  and  cleft  the  man's  head,  so  that  it  fell 
divided  upon  his  shoulders.  Then,  indeed,  if 
only  Turnus  had  bethought  him  to  open  the  gate 
that  the  Latins  should  come  in,  there  had  come 
an  end  that  day  to  the  war  and  to  the  whole 
nation  of  Troy.  But  he  thought  not  of  it,  caring 
only  to  slay  the  enemy.  Many  did  he  smite, 
some  on  the  back  as  they  fled,  and  some  in 
front;  among  them  Amycus  the  hunter,  and 
Clytius  the  singer,  whom  the  Muses  loved. 

But  now  the  chiefs  of  Troy,  Mnestheus  and 
Sergestus,  began  to  gather  the  people  together, 
and  to  make  head  against  Turnus.  And  Mnes- 
theus cried, "  Whither  will  ye  flee  ?  Have  ye  any 
walls  beside  ?  Shall  one  man  work  such  slaughter 
in  the  city  ?  Have  you  no  thought, ye  cowards, 
for  your  king?"  Then  the  men  of  Troy  took 
heart  again,  and  joined  themselves  in  close 
array,  so  that  Turnus  could  not  but  give  way 
before  them.  Just  so  a  lion  is  driven  back  by 
a  crowd  of  men.     Frightened  is  he,  yet  fierce 


THE  BATTLE  AT   THE  CAMP.  209 

withal,  and  his  courage  suffereth  him  not  to  flee, 
yet,  so  many  are  against  him,  he  dareth  not  to 
stand.  Even  thus  did  Turnus  give  way.  Twice 
he  turned  and  put  the  men  of  Troy  to  flight, 
and  twice  they  mastered  him.  For  the  helmet 
on  his  head  rang  with  the  javelins,  and  was 
broken  with  stones  ;  and  the  crest  was  stricken 
off,  and  the  shield  was  shattered  with  blows; 
and  the  sweat  poured  off  from  him,  and  scarce 
could  he  breathe,  till  at  the  last,  having  now 
come  to  the  river,  he  plunged  therein,  and  so 
returned  to  his  companions. 

And  still  the  battle  grew  fiercer  and  fiercer 
about  the  walls,  and  the  ring  of  them  that  de- 
fended the  camp  grew  thinner  and  thinner. 
There  stood  Asius,  the  son  of  Imbrasus,  and 
Clarus  and  Themon,  brothers  of  Sarpedon  the 
Lycian,  and  Acmon,  the  brother  of  Mnestheus, 
and  others  with  them.  And  in  the  midst  stood 
the  young  lulus,  with  his  comely  head  un- 
covered, like  to  a  jewel  that  is  set  in  gold  or 
ivory,  or  that  is  compassed  about  with  boxwood 
or  terebinth. 


15 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

THE    BATTLE    ON    THE    SHORE. 

In  the  meanwhile  iEneas  had  made  alliance 
with  Tarchon  and  the  Tuscans.  For  when  he 
had  expounded  all  things  to  Tarchon  their 
chief,  telling  him  withal  whence  he  had  come, 
the  people,  believing  that  all  things  were  now 
fulfilled  as  the  Gods  would  have  them,  followed 
him  willingly.  Now,  therefore,  he  was  returning 
to  the  camp,  leading  the  way  in  his  ship,  on  the 
prow  whereof  were  two  lions,  and  above  them 
the  image  of  the  goddess  Ida.  Pallas  also  sat 
beside  him,  and  asked  him,  now  concerning  the 
stars  by  which  men  guide  their  ways  at  night, 
and  now  concerning  the  things  which  he  had 
himself  endured  by  land  and  sea. 

After  him  came  Massicus,  in  the  Tiger,  with 
whom  were  a  thousand  men  from  Clusium 
and  Cosae ;  and  Abas,  with  six  hundred  from 
Populoma ;  and  from  Ilva,  rich  in  mines,  three 


THE  BATTLE  ON   THE  SHORE.  211 

hundred  more.  Asilas  also  the  soothsayer, 
came  leading  a  thousand  men  from  Pisa ;  and 
Astyr,  the  fairest  of  men,  with  three  hundred 
from  Caere  and  from  the  corn-fields  of  Minio 
and  from  Pyrgi. 

Also  the  Ligurianscame,  with  Cinyras,  son  of 
Cycnus,  who  had  for  his  crest  swan  feathers  ; 
and  his  ship  was  called  the  Centaur.  And 
Ocnus  came  from  Mantua  in  the  Mincius,  and 
five  hundred  with  him ;  and  Aulestes  in  the 
Triton ;  and  the  number  of  the  ships  was 
thirty  in  all. 

And  now  the  night  had  fallen,  and  as  iEneas 
sat  at  the  helm,  for  care  suffered  him  not  to 
sleep,  lo !  there  appeared  to  him  a  troop  of 
Nymphs,  which  once  had  been  his  ships.  And 
one  of  these,  by  name  Cymodocea.came  behind 
and  caught  the  stern  of  the  ship  with  her  right 
hand,  swimming  meanwhile  with  the  left.  Then 
she  spake,  saying,  "  Wakest  thou,  son  of  the 
goddess  ?  We  are  pines  of  Mount  Ida,  once  thy 
ships,  but  now  changed  to  Nymphs  when  Turnus 
would  have  burned  us  with  fire.  Know  that 
thy  son  is  besieged  in  the  camp.  Arm  thyself 
therefore  with  the   arms   which    Vulcan    hath 


STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 


wrought  for  thee.  To-morrow  thou  shalt  lay 
many  Latins  low  in  death."  And  as  she  spake 
she  pushed  the  ship  with  her  hand,  and  it 
sped  along  through  the  waters  and  the  rest 
also  with  it. 

And  when  the  day  wTas  come,  iEneas  com- 
manded that  all  should  make  them  ready  for 
battle.  And  now  the  camp  was  in  his  sight,  as 
he  stood  on  the  stern  and  lifted  in  his  left  hand 
a  flashing  shield.  Much  did  the  men  of  Troy 
rejoice  to  see  that  sight,  and  shouted  amain. 
And  Turnus  and  his  companions  marvelled,  till 
they  looked  behind  them,  and  lo  !  the  sea  was 
covered  with  ships,  and  in  the  midst  was  iEneas. 
And  it  was  as  if  a  flame  poured  forth  from  his 
helmet  and  his  shield,  bright  as  is  a  comet  when 
it  shines  in  the  night-time  red  as  blood,  or  as 
the  Dog  Star  in  the  hot  summer-tide  with  bale- 
ful light  bringing  fevers  to  the  race  of  men. 

Yet  did  not  Turnus  lose  heart,  but  would 
occupy  the  shore,  and  hinder  from  landing 
those  that  came.  Wherefore  he  cried,  "  Now 
have  ye  that  which  ye  wished  for.  Lo  !  the 
enemy  hides  not  himself  behind  a  wall,  but 
meets  us  face  to  face.      Remember  wife  and 


THE  BATTLE  ON   THE  SHORE.  213 

child  and  home  and  the  great  deeds  of  your 
fathers.  Let  us  meet  them  on  the  shore  ere  yet 
their  footing  is  firm."  And  he  thought  within 
himself  who  should  watch  the  walls,  and  who 
should  meet  the  enemy  when  he  would  gain 
the  shore. 

But  in  the  meanwhile  iEneas  landed  his  men 
on  gangways  from  the  ships.  And  some  leapt 
on  shore,  having  watched  for  the  ebb  of  the 
waves,  and  some  ran  along  the  oars.  Tarchon 
also,  the  Etrurian,  having  spied  a  place  where 
the  sea  broke  not  in  waves,  commanded  his 
men  that  they  should  beach  the  ships,  which 
indeed  they  did  without  harm.  Only  the  ship 
of  Tarchon  himself  was  caught  upon  a  ridge 
and  the  men  thrown  therefrom.  Yet  these  also, 
after  a  while,  got  safe  to  the  shore. 

Then  did  /Eneas  do  great  deeds  against  the 
enemy.  For  first  he  slew  Theron.who  surpassed 
all  men  in  stature,  smiting  through  his  coat  of 
mail ;  and  Cisseus  and  Gyas,  who  wielded  clubs 
after  the  manner  of  Hercules.  Sons  were  they 
ofMelampus,  who  had  borne  Hercules  company 
in  all  his  labours.  Then  the  sons  of  Phorcus 
came  against  him,  seven  in  number ;  and  they 


214  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

cast  at  him  seven  spears,  whereof  some  re- 
bounded from  his  shield  and  some  grazed  his 
body,  but  harmed  him  not.  Then  cried  ^Eneas 
to  Achates,  "  Give  me  spears  enough.  Spears 
which  have  slain  the  Greeks  on  the  fields  of 
Troy  shall  not  be  cast  in  vain  against  these 
Latins."  Then  of  the  seven  he  slew  Maeon  and 
Alcanor,  for  the  spear  pierced  the  breast-plate 
and  heart  of  Maeon,  and  when  Alcanor  would 
have  held  him  up,  passed  through  his  arm  and 
yet  kept  on  its  way.  And  many  others  fell  on 
this  side  and  on  that,  for  they  fought  with  equal 
fortune.  On  the  very  threshold  of  Italy  they 
fought,  and  neither  would  the  Italians  give  place 
nor  yet  the  men  of  Troy,  for  foot  was  planted 
close  to  foot,  and  man  stood  fast  by  man. 

In  another  part  of  the  battle  Pallas  fought 
with  his  Arcadians.  And  when  he  saw  that 
they  fled,  not  being  wont  to  fight  on  foot  (for 
by  reason  of  the  ground  they  had  sent  away 
their  horses),  he  cried,  "  Now,  by  the  name  of 
your  King  Evander,  and  by  my  hope  that  I  may 
win  praise  like  unto  his,  I  beseech  you  that  ye 
trust  not  to  your  feet.  Ye  must  make  your  way 
through  the  enemy  with  your  swords.     Where 


THE  BATTLE  ON   THE  SHORE.  215 

the  crowd  is  the  thickest  follow  me.  Nor  have 
ye  now  gods  against  you.  These  are  but  mortal 
men  that  ye  see."  And  he  rushed  into  the 
midst  of  the  enemy.  First  he  smote  Lagus 
with  his  spear,  even  as  he  was  lifting  a  great 
stone  from  the  earth.  In  the  back  he  smote  him, 
and,  having  smitten  him,  strove  to  draw  forth 
the  spear,  and  while  he  strove,  Hisbo  would 
have  slain  him  ;  but  Pallas  was  aware  of  his 
coming,  and  pierced  him  in  the  breast  with  his 
sword.  Next  he  slew  the  twin  brothers,  Larides 
and  Thymber.  Very  like  they  were,  and  it  pleased 
father  and  mother  that  they  knew  not  the  one 
from  the  other ;  but  Pallas  made  a  cruel  dif- 
ference between  them,  for  from  Thymber  he 
struck  off  the  head,  and  from  Larides  the  right 
hand.  And  after  this  he  slew  Rhcetus,  as  he 
fled  past  him  in  his  chariot.  And  now,  even  as 
a  shepherd  sets  fire  to  a  wood,  and  the  flames 
are  borne  along  by  the  wind,  so  Pallas,  and  his 
Arcadians  following,  raged  through  the  battle. 
And  when  Halassus,  the  companion  of  Aga- 
memnon, would  have  stayed  them,  Pallas,  first 
praying  to  Father  Tiber,  smote  him  through 
the  breast  with  a  spear,  that  he   died      Then 


216  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

came  to  the  help  of  the  Latins  Lausus,  the  son 
of  King  Mezentius,  and  slew  Abas  of  Popu- 
lonia,  and  others  also.  Then  the  battle  was 
equal  for  a  space,  for  Pallas  supported  it  on 
the  one  side  and  Lausus  on  the  other.  Fair 
were  they  both  to  behold  and  of  equal  age, 
and  for  both  it  was  ordained  that  they  should 
not  return  to  their  native  country.  Yet  they 
met  not  in  battle,  seeing  that  the  doom  of  each 
was  that  he  should  fall  by  a  greater  hand. 

And  now  the  nymph  Juturna,  who  was  sister 
to  Turnus,  bade  her  brother  haste  to  the  help 
of  Lausus.  And  when  he  was  come,  he  cried 
to  the  Latins,  "  Give  place :  I  only  will  deal 
with  Pallas.  I  only  would  that  his  father  were 
here  to  see."  Much  did  Pallas  marvel  to  behold 
him  and  to  see  the  men  give  place.  But,  being 
no  whit  afraid,  he  went  forth  into  the  space 
between  the  hosts,  and  the  blood  of  the  Arca- 
dians ran  cold  when  they  saw  him  go.  Then 
Turnus  leapt  from  his  chariot,  for  he  would 
meet  him  on  foot.  And  first  Pallas  prayed, 
saying,  "  O  Hercules !  if  thou  wast  indeed 
my  father's  guest,  help  me  to-day ! "  And 
Hercules  heard  him  where  he  sat   in  heaven, 


THE  BATTLE  ON   THE  SHORE.  217 

and  wept  because  he  could  avail  nothing.  Then 
said  Father  Jupiter,  "  My  son,  the  days  of  men 
are  numbered ;  yet  may  they  live  for  ever  by 
noble  deeds.  This  at  least  can  valour  do.  Did 
not  many  sons  of  the  gods  fall  at  Troy  ?  yea, 
and  my  own  Sarpedon.  And  for  Turnus,  too, 
the  day  of  doom  is  at  hand."  And  he  turned 
his  eyes  from  the  battle.  Then  Pallas  cast  his 
spear  with  all  his  might.  Through  the  shield  of 
Turnus  it  passed,  and  through  the  corslet,  yea, 
and  grazed  the  top  of  his  shoulder.  Then 
Turnus  balanced  his  spear  awhile,  and  said. 
"This,  methinks,  shall  better  make  its  way,"  and 
he  cast  it.  Through  the  shield,  through  the  stout 
bull's  hide,  and  through  the  folds  of  bronze  it 
passed,  and  through  the  corslet,  and  pierced 
the  breast  of  Pallas  from  front  to  back.  And 
Pallas  tore  from  the  wound  the  reeking  steel, 
and  the  blood  gushed  out,  and  the  life  there- 
with. Then  Turnus  stood  above  the  corpse, 
and  said,  "  Men  of  Arcadia,  tell  these  my  words 
to  Evander : '  Pallas  I  send  him  back,  even  as 
he  deserved  that  I  should  send  him.  I  grudge 
him  not  due  honours  of  burial.  Yet  of  a 
truth  the  friendship    of  /Eneas  hath  cost  him 


STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 


dear.'"  Then  he  put  his  foot  upon  the  body 
and  dragged  therefrom  the  belt.  Great  and 
heavy  it  was,  and  Clonius  had  wrought  there- 
on in  gold  the  deed  of  the  fifty  daughters  of 
Danalis,  how  they  slew  their  husbands  in  one 
night.  But  even  then  the  time  was  very  near 
when  Turnus  would  wish  that  he  had  left  that 
spoil  untouched.  And  afterwards,  with  much 
groaning  and  weeping,  the  companions  of  Pallas 
laid  him  upon  a  shield  and  bare  him  back. 

And  now  tidings  came  to  yEneas  that  it 
fared  ill  with  his  men,  and  that  Pallas  was  slain. 
Across  the  field  he  sped,  and  all  his  heart  was 
full  of  wrath  against  Turnus  and  pity  for  the 
old  man  Evander ;  and  first  he  took  alive  eight 
youths,  whom  he  should  slay  upon  the  tomb. 
Then  he  cast  his  spear  at  Lagus ;  but  Lagus 
avoided  it  by  craft,  and  rushed  forward,  and 
caught  him  by  the  knees,  beseeching  him  by 
the  spirit  of  his  father  and  the  hopes  of  lulus 
that  he  would  spare  him,  and  take  a  ransom  for 
his  life.  But  /Eneas  made  answer,  "  Talk  not 
of  sparing  nor  of  ransom  ;  for  to  all  courtesy  of 
war  there  is  an  end  now  that  Turnus  hath  slain 
Pallas."     And  he  caught  the  man's  helmet  with 


THE  BATTLE  ON    THE  SHORE.  219 

his  left  hand,  and,  bending  back  his  neck,  thrust 
in  the  sword  up  to  the  hilt.  And  many  other 
valiant  chiefs  he  slew,  as  Haemonides,  priest 
of  Phoebus  and  Diana,  and  Tarquitus,  son  of 
Faunus,  and  dark  Camers,  son  of  Volscens. 
And  now  there  met  him  two  brethren  on  one 
chariot,  Lucagus  and  Liger.  And  Liger,  who 
indeed  drave  the  horses,  cried  aloud,  "  These 
are  not  the  horses  of  Diomed,  nor  this  the 
chariot  of  Achilles,  from  which  thou  mayest 
escape.  Lo  !  the  end  of  thy  battles  and  thy 
life  is  come."  But  /Eneas  spake  not,  but  cast 
his  spear,  and  even  as  Lucagus  made  himself 
ready  for  battle  it  sped  through  his  shield  and 
pierced  his  thigh.  Then  he  fell  dying  on  the 
plain.  And  /Eneas  cried,  mocking  him,  "  Thy 
horses  are  not  slow  to  flee,  nor  frightened  by 
a  shadow.  Of  thine  own  will  thou  leavest  thy 
chariot."  And  he  caught  the  horses  by  the 
head.  Then  Liger  stretched  out  his  hands  to 
him  in  supplication,  saying,  "  I  beseech  thee,  by 
thy  parents,  have  pity  upon  me."  But  /Eneas 
made  answer, "  Nay,  but  thou  spakest  not  thus 
before.  Die  !  and  desert  not  thy  brother."  And 
he  thrust  the  sword  into  his  breast.     Thus  did 


2tf  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 


iEneas  deal  death  through  the  host,  even  as 
he  had  been  the  giant  Typhoeus  with  the 
hundred  hands.  And  when  lulus  and  the 
men  of  Troy  beheld  him  they  brake  forth 
from  the  camp. 

And  now  Juno  bethought  her  how  she  might 
save  Turnus,  whom  she  loved.  So  she  caused 
that  there  should  pass  before  his  eyes  an  image 
as  of  ^Eneas,  which  seemed  to  defy  him  to 
battle.  And  when  Turnus  would  have  fought, 
lo !  the  false  ^Eneas  fled,  and  Turnus  followed 
him.  Now.  there  chanced  to  be  lying  moored 
to  a  great  rock  a  certain  ship,  on  which  King 
Asinius  had  come  from  Clusium.  Into  this 
the  false  iEneas  fled,  and  Turnus  followed  hard 
upon  him,  but  found  not  the  man.  And  when 
he  looked,  Juno  had  burst  the  moorings  of  the 
ship,  and  the  sea  was  about  him  on  every  side. 
Then  he  cried,  "  What  have  I  done,  great 
Jupiter,  that  I  should  suffer  such  shame? 
What  think  the  Latins  of  my  flight  ?  Drown 
me,  ye  winds  and  waves,  or  drive  me  where 
no  man  may  see  me  more."  Thrice  he  would 
have  cast  himself  into  the  sea ;  thrice  would  he 
have  slain   himself  with   the  sword  ;  but  Juno 


THE  BATTLE  ON    THE  SHORE.  221 

forbade,  and  brought  him  safe  to  the  city  of 
Daunus,  his  father. 

In  the  meanwhile  King  Mezentius  joined 
the  battle.  Nor  could  the  men  of  Troy,  nor 
yet  the  Tuscans,  stay  him.  Many  valiant  men 
he  slew,  as  Mimas,  whom  his  mother  Theano 
bare  the  same  night  that  Hecuba  bare  Paris  to 
King  Priam  ;  and  Actor,  a  Greek,  who  had  left 
his  promised  wife,  and  carried  her  purple  favour 
in  his  helmet ;  and  tall  Orodes.  Orodes,  indeed, 
was  flying,  but  the  king  deigned  not  to  slay 
him  in  his  flio-ht,  but  met  him  face  to  face  and 
smote  him.  Also  when  Orodes  cried,  "  Who- 
ever thou  art,  thou  goest  not  long  unpunished : 
a  like  doom  awaits  thee  ;  and  in  this  land  shalt 
thou  find  thy  grave,"  Mezentius  laughed,  and 
made  answer,  "  Die  thou,  but  let  the  king 
of  Gods  and  men  see  to  me." 

But  after  awhile  /Eneas  spied  Mezentius  as 
he  fought,  and  made  haste  to  meet  him.  Nor 
did  the  king  give  place,  but  cried,  "  Now  may 
this  right  hand  and  the  spear  which  I  wield  be 
my  gods,  and  help  me."  And  he  cast  his  spear. 
It  smote  the  shield  of  .Eneas,  but  pierced  it 
not.     Yet  did  it  not  fly  in  vain,  for  glancing 


222  STORIES  FROM    VIRGIL. 

off  it  smote  Antores  in  the  side — Antores  who 
once  had  been  comrade  to  Hercules,  and  after- 
wards followed  Evander.  Now  he  fell,  and  in 
his  death  remembered  the  citv  which  he  loved, 
even  Argos.  Then  in  his  turn  ^Eneas  cast  his 
spear.  Through  the  bull's-hide  shield  it  passed, 
wounding  the  king  in  the  groin,  but  not  to  death. 
And  iEneas  was  right  glad  to  see  the  blood 
flow  forth,  and  drew  his  sword  and  pressed  on ; 
and  Mezentius,  much  cumbered  with  the  spear 
and  the  wound,  gave  place.  But  when  Lausus, 
his  son,  saw  this,  he  groaned  aloud  and  leapt 
forward  and  took  the  blow  upon  his  sword ; 
and  his  companions  followed  him  with  a  shout 
and  cast  their  spears  at  yEneas,  staying  him 
till  Mezentius  had  gotten  himself  safe  away. 
And  /Eneas  stood  awhile  under  the  shower  of 
spears,  even  as  a  traveller  stands  hiding  himself 
from  a  storm.  Then  he  cried  to  Lausus,  "  What 
seekest  thou,  madman  ?  Why  venturest  thou 
that  which  thy  strength  may  not  endure  ? " 
But  Lausus  heeded  him  not  at  all,  but  still 
pressed  on.  Then  the  heart  of /Eneas  was  filled 
with  wrath,  and  the  day  was  come  for  Lausus 
that  he  should  die.     For  the  king  smote  him 


THE  BATTLE  ON   THE  SHORE.  223 

with  his  sword  :  through  shield  it  passed  and 
tunic  woven  with  gold,  and  was  hidden  to  the 
hilt  in  his  body.  And  ^Eneas  pitied  him  as  he 
lay  dead,  bethinking  him  how  he,  too,  would 
fain  have  died  for  his  father,  and  spake,  saying, 
11  What  shall  /Eneas  give  thee,  unhappy  boy, 
for  this  thy  nobleness  ?  Keep  thy  arms,  in 
which  thou  hadst  such  delight,  and  let  thy 
father  care  as  he  will  for  thy  body ;  and  take 
this  comfort  in  thy  death,  that  thou  fallest  by 
the  hand  of  the  great  yEneas."  Then  he  lifted 
him  from  the  earth,  and  bade  his  companions 
carry  him  away. 

In  the  mean  time  his  father  tended  his  wounds, 
leaning  on  the  trunk  of  a  tree  by  the  Tiber 
bank.  His  helmet  hung  from  a  branch,  and 
his  arms  lay  upon  the  ground,  while  his  fol- 
lowers stood  around.  And  ever  he  asked 
tidings  of  Lausus,  and  sent  those  who  should 
bid  him  return.  But  when  they  brought  back 
his  body  on  a  shield,  his  father  knew  it  from 
afar,  and  threw  dust  upon  his  white  hair,  and 
fell  upon  the  body,  crying,  "Had  I  such  desire 
to  live,  my  son,  that  I  suffered  thee  to  meet  in 
my  stead  the  sword  of   the    enemy  ?      Am  I 


224  STORIES  FROM    VIRGIL. 

saved  by  these  wounds  ?  Do  I  live  by  thy 
death  ?  And  indeed,  my  son,  I  did  dishonour 
to  thee  by  my  misdeeds.  Would  that  I  had 
given  my  guilty  life  for  thine  !  But  indeed  I 
die  :  nevertheless  not  yet,  for  I  have  first  some- 
what that  I  must  do. " 

Then  he  raised  himself  on  his  thigh,  and 
commanded  that  they  should  bring  his  horse. 
His  pride  it  was  and  comfort,  and  had  borne 
him  conqueror  from  many  fights.  Very  sad 
was  the  beast,  and  he  spake  to  it,  saying,  "  O 
Rhoebus,  thou  and  I  have  lived  long  enough 
if  indeed  aught  on  earth  be  long.  To-day 
thou  shalt  bring  back  the  head  and  the  arms 
of  iEneas,  and  so  avenge  my  Lausus  ;  or  thou 
shalt  die  with  me.  For  a  Trojan  master  thou 
wilt  not,  I  know,  endure.  " 

Then  he  mounted  the  horse  and  took  spears 
in  both  his  hands,  and  so  hasted  to  meet 
iEneas.  Thrice  he  called  him  by  name,  and 
^Eneas  rejoiced  to  hear  his  voice,  and  cried, 
"  Now  may  Jupiter  and  Apollo  grant  that  this 
be  true.  Begin  the  fight."  And  Mezentius 
made  answer :  "  Seek  not  to  make  afraid. 
Thou  canst  do  me  no  harm  now  that  thou  hast 


THE  BATTLE  ON   THE  SHORE.  225 

slain  my  son.  I  am  come  to  die,  but  take  thou 
first  this  gift ;"  and  he  cast  his  spear,  and  then 
another,  and  another,  as  he  rode  in  a  great 
circle  about  the  enemy.  But  they  brake  not 
the  boss  of  gold.  And  /Eneas  stood  firm, 
bearing  the  forest  of  spears  in  his  shield.  But 
at  last,  issuing  forht  in  anger  from  behind  his 
shield,  he  cast  his  spear  and  smote  the  war-horse 
Rhcebus  between  his  temples.  Then  the  horse 
reared  himself  and  lashed  the  air  with  his  feet, 
and  fell  with  his  rider  beneath  him.  And  the  men 
of  Troy  and  the  Latins  sent  up  a  great  shout 
Then  /Eneas  hasted  and  drew  his  sword,  and 
stood  above  him,  crying,  "  Where  is  the  fierce 
Mezentius  now?"  And  the  king  said,  when  he- 
breathed  again,  "  Why  threatenest  thou  me 
with  death  ?  Slay  me  ;  thou  wrongest  me  not. 
I  made  no  covenant  with  thee  for  life,  nor  did 
my  Lausus  when  he  died  for  me.  Yet  grant 
me  this  one  thing.  Thou  knowest  how  my 
people  hateth  me.  Keep  my  body,  I  pray 
thee,  from  them,  that  they  do  it  no  wrong. 
And  let  my  son  be  buried  with  me  in  my 
grave.  "  And  he  gave  his  throat  to  the  sword 
and  feared  not. 

16 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

THE    COUNCIL. 

So  the  battle  had  an  end.  And  the  next  day, 
early  in  the  morning,  yEneas  paid  his  vows. 
For  he  took  an  oak-tree,  and  lopped  the 
branches  round  about,  and  set  it  on  a  mound. 
And  thereon  he  hung,  for  a  trophy  to  Mars, 
the  arms  of  King  Mezentius.the  crest  dripping 
with  blood,  and  the  headless  spears,  and  the 
corslet  pierced  in  twelve  places.  Also  he 
fastened  on  the  left  hand  the  shield,  and  hung 
about  the  neck  the  ivory-hilted  sword.  And 
next,  the  chiefs  being  gathered  about  him,  he 
spake,  saying,  "  We  have  wrought  a  great 
deed.  Here  ye  see  all  that  remaineth  of 
Mezentius.  Now,  therefore,  let  us  make  ready 
to  carry  the  war  against  the  city  of  Latinus. 
This,  therefore,  will  we  do  with  the  first  light 
to-morrow.  And  now  let  us  bury  the  dead,  doing 
such   honour  to  them    as  we  may,  for    indeed 


THE  COUNCIL.  227 


they  have  purchased  a  country  for  us  with 
their  own  blood.  But  first  will  I  send  back 
Pallas  to  the  city  of  Evander." 

Then  he  went  to  the  tent  where  the  dead 
body  was  laid,  and  old  Acoetes  kept  watch 
there — Acoetes,  who  had  been  armour-bearer 
to  Evander,  and  now  had  followed  his  son,  but 
with  evil  fortune  ;  and  the  women  of  Troy,  with 
their  hair  unbound,  mourned  about  him.  But 
when  they  saw  /Eneas  they  beat  their  breasts, 
and  sent  up  a  great  cry  even  to  heaven.  And 
when  the  king  saw  the  pillowed  head  and  the 
great  wound  in  the  breast  he  wept,  and  said, 
*'  Ah  !  why  did  Fortune  grudge  me  this,  that 
thou  shouldst  see  my  kingdom,  and  go  back  in 
triumph  to  thy  father's  home  ?  This  is  not 
what  I  promised  to  Evander  when  he  gave 
thee  to  my  charge,  and  warned  me  that  the 
men  of  Italy  were  valiant  and  fierce.  And  now 
haply,  old  man,  thou  makest  offerings  and  pray- 
ers for  him  who  oweth  not  service  any  more  to 
the  Gods  of  heaven.  Yet,  at  least,  thou  wilt 
see  that  he  beareth  an  honourable  wound.  But 
what  a  son  thou  losest,  O  Italy !  and  what  a 
friend,  thou,  Itilus !" 


228  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

Then  he  chose  a  thousand  men  who  should 
go  with  the  dead  and  share  the  father's  grief. 
After  this  they  made  a  bier  of  arbutus  boughs  and 
oak,  and  put  also  over  it  a  canopy  of  branches, 
and  laid  the  dead  thereon,  like  unto  a  flower  of 
violet  or  hyacinth  which  a  girl  hath  plucked, 
which  still  hath  beauty  and  colour,  but  the  earth 
nourisheth  it  no  more.  And  iEneas  took  two 
robes  of  purple,  which  Dido  had  woven  with 
thread  of  gold,  and  with  one  he  wrapped  the 
body  and  with  the  other  the  head.  And  behind 
were  carried  the  arms  which  Pallas  had  won  in 
fight;  and  they  led  the  old  man  Accetes,  smiting 
on  his  breast  and  tearing  his  cheeks,  and  throw- 
ing himself  upon  the  ground  ;and  the  war-horse 
yEthon  walked  beside,  with  the  great  tears  roll- 
ing down  his  cheeks.  And  also  they  bare  behind 
him  his  helmet  and  shield,  for  all  else  Turnus 
had  taken  ;  and  then  followed  the  whole  com- 
pany, the  men  of  Troy,  the  Arcadians,  and  the 
Tuscans,  with  arms  reversed.  And  ^Eneas 
said,  "  The  same  cares  and  sorrows  of  war  call 
me  elsewhere.  Farewell,  my  Pallas,  for  ever  ! "' 
And  he  departed  to  the  camp. 

And  now  there  came  ambassadors  from  the- 


THE  COUNCIL.  229 


city,  having  olive-branches  about  their  heads, 
praying  for  a  truce,  that  they  might  bury  their 
dead.  Then  iEneas  made  answer,  "  Ye  ask 
peace  for  the  dead ;  fain  would  I  give  it  to  the 
living.  I  had  not  come  to  this  land  but  for  the 
bidding  of  the  Fates.  And  if  your  king  changeth 
11  om  me  and  my  friendship  to  Turnus,  I  am 
blameless.  Yet  methinks  Turnus  should  rather 
have  taken  this  danger  upon  himself.  And  even 
now,  if  he  be  willing  to  fight  with  me,  man  to 
man,  so  be  it.     But  now  bury  ye  your  dead." 

Then  they  made  truce  for  twelve  days.  And 
the  men  of  Troy  and  the  Latins  laboured  to- 
gether, hewing  wood  upon  the  hills,  pine  and 
cedar  and  mountain  ash.  And  the  men  of  Troy 
built  great  piles  upon  the  shore  and  burned  the 
dead  bodies  of  their  companions  thereon,  and 
their  arms  with  them.  And  the  Latins  did  like- 
wise. Also  they  that  had  been  chosen  to  do 
this  thing  carried  the  body  of  Pallas  to  his  city 
And  King  Evander  and  the  Arcadians  made  a 
great  mourning  for  him. 

But  when  they  had  made  an  end  of  burning 
the  dead  there  arose  a  great  tumult  in  the  city, 
for  many  had  lost  husband,  or  brother,  or  son. 


230  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

Wherefore  they    cried  out  that  it  was  an   evil 
war,  and  they  cursed  the  marriage  of  Turnus, 
and  would  have  him  fight  with  iEneas,  man  to 
man,   that    there    might   be  an   end    of  these 
troubles.     And  lo  !  in  the  midst  of  the  tumult 
there  came  back  the  ambassadors  that  had  been 
sent    to  Diomed,  saying  that  their  prayers  and 
gifts  had  availed  nothing.     Then  King  Latinus 
called  a  council  of  the  chiefs,  and  sat  him  down 
upon    his    throne,  and   bade  the    men  say  on. 
Then  Venulus,  who    was   the  chiefest    among 
them,  spake,  saying,  "  We  went  to  Arpi,  to  the 
city  of  King  Diomed.     And  the  man  received 
us,  and  asked  us  wherefore  we   had  come,  and 
when  we  had  told  him,  he  spake,  saying, "  Men  of 
Italy,  why  will  ye  thus  tempt  your  fate  ?  Know 
ye  not  that  we,  as  many  of  us  as  lifted  hand 
against  the  men  of  Troy,  have  suffered  grievous 
things  ?     For  the   Lesser  Ajax  perished  on  the 
rocks  of  Euboea  ;  and  Menelaiis  was  driven  even 
to  the  island  of  Proteus,  which  is  hard  by  the 
land    of  Egypt ;  and   Ulysses  scarcely  escaped 
from  the  Cyclops  ;  and  as  for  King  Agamemnon, 
an  adulterer  slew  him  in   his  palace.     And  us 
the  Gods  suffered  not  to  see  wife  or  country  again. 


THE  COUNCIL.  231 


But  as  for  this  which  ye  ask  of  me,  I  fight  not 
against  men  of  Troy  any  more.  These  gifts 
which  ye  bring  to  me,  give  rather  to  yEneas. 
We  have  fought  together,  and  I  know  how 
mightily  he  rises  to  the  stroke  of  his  sword  and 
casts  hie;  spear.  I  tell  you  this :  if  there  had 
been  in  Troy  two  others  such  as  he,  the  war  had 
come  to  the  gates  of  Argos,  and  Greece  had 
suffered  even  what  she  wrought.  Twas  he  and 
Hector  who  for  ten  years  bore  up  against 
our  arms ;  both  valiant  men  and  strong,  and 
this  man  the  dearer  to  the  Gods.  Make  peace 
with  him,  if  ye  may ;  but  beware  that  ye  meet 
him  not  in  war." 

And  when  they  had  made  an  end  of  speaking 
there  was  a  murmur  in  the  council,  some  saying 
one  thing,  and  some  another.  Then  King 
Latinus  said  from  his  throne,  "  This  is  an  ill 
time  for  counsel  when  the  enemy  is  about  our 
walls.  Yet  hearken  to  my  words.  Ye  do  ill 
to  wage  this  war :  for  the  men  of  Troy  are  dear 
to  the  Gods,  nor  may  any  sword  prevail  against 
them.  Ye  have  heard  what  saith  King  Diomed; 
ye  see  also  how  low  our  fortunes  be  brought. 
My  sentence  therefore  is  this  :  I  have  a  domain 


£32  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

near  to  the  Tiber,  stretching  far  to  the  west,  a 
land  of  corn-fields  and  pasture.  This,  and  the 
pine  forests  also  on  the  hills,  will  I  give  to  the 
men  of  Troy,  and  I  will  divide  also  my  kingdom. 
But  if  they  would  rather  seek  some  other  land, 
let  us  build  them  twelve  ships,  or  more,  if  they 
be  able  to  fill  them,  and  let  them  depart  in  peace. 
Now  therefore  let  us  send  ambassadors,  even  a 
hundred  men,  and  let  them  carry  gifts,  talents  of 
gold,  and  ivory,  and  also  a  throne  and  a  robe, 
which  are  the  emblems  of  kingship." 

Then  spake  Drances.  (Now  Drances  had 
great  jealousy  of  Turnus.  Bountiful  was  he, 
and  eloquent,  and  skilful  in  counsel  and  debate, 
but  feeble  to  fight.)  "  This  matter  about  which 
thou  askest  us,  O  King,  is  manifest,  and  needeth 
not  speech  ;  for  all  men  know  what  shall  best 
profit  the  people,  yet  fear  to  say  it.  'Tis  this 
man  that  hindereth  us  from  speech ;  this  man 
for  whose  evil  pride — aye,  I  will  say  it  though 
he  threaten  me  with  death — so  many  valiant 
chiefs  have  fallen,  while  he  makes  a  vain  show 
of  his  valour.  And  now,  O  King,  I  would  bid 
thee  add  one  more  to  thy  gifts.  Give  thy 
daughter   to    this  great  son-in-law,  and  make 


THE  COUNCIL.  233 


peace  sure  for  ever.  Yea,  Turnus,  yield  thou 
this  to  thy  country.  Lo  !  we  all  ask  it  of  thee, 
even  I,  whom  thou  holdest  to  be  thine  enemv. 
But  if  thou  wilt  not,  counting  a  royal  wife  to  be 
more  than  thy  country,  call  not  on  us  to  die  for 
thee,  but  meet  thy  rival  face  to  face." 

Then  in  great  wrath  Turnus  made  answer, 
"  Thou  hast  always  many  words  at  command, 
O  Drances,  and,  when  the  senators  are  called, 
art  ever  the  first  to  come.  But  where  is  thy 
valour?  Where  are  the  trophies  which  thy 
right  hand  hath  set  up  ?  Wilt  thou  make  trial 
of  it  now  ?  Lo  !  the  enemy  is  at  hand.  Shall 
we  go  ?  Dost  thou  linger  ?  Is  all  thy  valour 
in  thy  boasting  tongue  and  coward  feet  ?  And 
thou  doubtest,  forsooth,  of  my  courage.  What? 
hast  thou  not  heard  of  Pallas  slain,  and  Bitias 
and  Pandarus,  and  all  whom  I  laid  low  when 
they  shut  me  within  their  walls  ?  And  now  I 
would  speak  of  thee  and  thy  counsel,  my  father. 
If  thou  thinkest  that  one  defeat  is  enough,  and 
that  fortune  may  not  change,  be  it  so :  let  us 
pray  for  peace.  Happy  then  he  who  hath  died 
before  he  saw  such  foul  disgrace  !  But  if  we 
have  yet  strength  remaining,  and  nations  and 


>34  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

cities  that  will  yet  help  us ;  if  these  men  of 
Troy  have  won  their  victory  dear,  why  faint  we 
at  the  threshold,  and  tremble  before  the  trumpet 
sounds  ?  Diomed  will  not  help  us.  But  we  have 
Messapus,  and  the  augur  Tolumnius,  and  all  the 
chiefs  of  Italy,  yea  and  the  Volscian  Camilla, 
with  her  squadrons  clad  in  bronze.  And  if 
they  would  have  me  fight  man  to  man,  I  refuse 
not  in  such  a  cause.  Let  him  be  mighty  as 
Achilles,  and  don  the  arms  which  Vulcan  hath 
made  :  I  refuse  not  the  battle,  for  my  life  is  for 
you  and  your  king." 

But  while  they  disputed  there  came  a  mes- 
senger unto  the  palace  bringing  tidings  of  fear. 
For  the  men  of  Troy,  he  said,  were  marching 
in  battle  line  from  their  camp.  Then  there 
arose  a  great  uproar,  some  crying  aloud  for  arms, 
and  some  weeping  ;  loud  was  it  as  the  clamour 
of  birds  that  settle  in  some  deep  wood,  or  of 
swans  by  the  mouth  of  Po.  And  Turnus  cried, 
"  Call  your  councils,  my  friends,  speak  of  peace 
as  you  sit.  But  the  enemy  is  at  the  gate." 
And  he  made  haste  and  rushed  forth  from  the 
senate-house. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE    BATTLE    AT    THE    CITY. 

Then  Turnus  commanded  that  of  the  chiefs 
some  should  set  the  battle  in  array,  and  some 
should  fortify  the  gates,  and  some  should  follow 
after  himself.  And  men  dug  trenches  before 
the  gates,  and  gathered  store  of  stones  and 
stakes ;  and  the  women  and  children  stood 
upon  the  walls.  But  the  queen  and  the  chiefest 
of  the  matrons  went  to  the  temple  of  Pallas, 
and  with  them  was  the  virgin  Lavinia,  from 
whom  all  these  sorrows  sprang,  casting  down 
her  beautiful  eyes  to  the  ground.  And  they 
offered  incense  and  prayer  to  the  goddess,  that 
she  would  break  the  Phrygian  robber's  spear,  and 
lay  him  low  before  the  walls  of  the  city.  Then 
Turnus  armed  himself  for  the  battle,  and  ran 
down  from  the  citadel,  and  lo !  at  the  gate 
there  met  him  Camilla,  with  a  troop  of  virgins 
riding  on  horses.     And  when  they  had  lighted 

235 


236  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 


down  therefrom,  the  Queen  spake,  saying, "  I 
promise  thee,  Turnus,  to  meet  the  horsemen  of 
Troy  and  of  the  Tuscans.  Do  thou  abide  here 
on  foot  and  guard  the  walls."  And  Turnus, 
steadfastly  regarding  her,  made  answer, "  What 
thanks  shall  I  give  thee  for  such  service  ?  But 
now  hearken  to  me.  There  lieth  a  valley 
whereby  iEneas  purposeth  to  come  against  this 
city :  in  the  mouth  thereof  will  I  lay  an  am- 
bush ;  do  thou,  therefore,  meet  the  Tuscan 
horsemen  in  battle,  having  with  thee  Messapus 
and  the  horsemen  of  Tibur."  And  when  he 
had  said  this  he  departed  and  laid  the  ambush 
against  ^Eneas. 

In  the  mean  time  Diana,  where  she  sat  in 
heaven,  spake  to  Opis,  who  was  one  of  the 
nymphs  that  waited  on  her  : "  Camilla  goeth  forth 
to  battle,  who  is  dearer  to  me  than  all  virgins 
beside,  and  hath  been  so  even  from  a  child. 
She  is  the  daughter  of  King  Metabus.  Now 
Metabus,  being  banished  from  his  city,  even 
Privernum,  by  reason  of  his  violence,  fled, 
taking  with  him  his  daughter.  Her  he  carried 
in  his  bosom,  and  the  Volscians  pressed  hard 
upon    him    as   he  fled.     And  he  came  to  the 


THE  BATTLE  AT  THE  CITY.  237 

river  Amasenus,  and  it  chanced  that  the  river 
was  swollen  with  abundance  of  rain,  and  over- 
flowed his  banks.  And  the  king,  when  he 
would  have  crossed  it  by  swimming,  feared  for 
the  child.  Therefore  he  took  the  great  spear 
which  he  carried  in  his  hand,  and  bound  the 
girl  thereto  with  strips  of  bark,  and  balanced  it 
in  his  hands,  saying,  '  I  vow  this  child  to  thee, 
daughter  of  Latona,  to  be  thy  servant  for  ever.' 
And  he  cast  the  spear  with  all  his  might,  so 
that  it  fell  on  the  other  side  of  the  river.  Then 
did  he  throw  himself  into  the  stream,  and  so 
escaped  from  the  land  of  his  enemies.  There- 
after he  dwelt  not  in  house  or  city,  but  lived  on 
the  hills  with  the  shepherds.  And  the  child  he 
nourished  with  mare's  milk,  and  the  like.  And 
when  she  could  first  put  her  feet  upon  the  ground, 
he  put  a  javelin  in  her  hand,  and  gave  her  a 
bow  also  and  arrows.  No  gold  had  she  on  her 
hair,  nor  wore  she  long  garments  such  as  women 
use,  but  was  adorned  with  a  tiger-skin.  Also 
from  a  child  she  would  cast  the  javelin  from  her 
hand,  and  whirl  the  sling  above  her  head,  and 
strike  the  crane  or  the  wild  swan  even  in  the 
midst  of  the  clouds.       Many  Tuscan  mothers 


238  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

would  have  had  her  for  their  daughter-in-law, 
but  marriage  pleased  her  not.  I  would  she  had 
not  come  to  this  war.  Then  had  I  made  her 
one  of  my  companions.  But  seeing  that  her 
doom  is  upon  her,  I  give  thee  this  charge  con- 
cerning her.  Pass  thou  down  to  the  earth,  to 
the  Latin  land,  where  they  begin  even  now  this 
evil  battle.  And  take  from  thy  quiver  an 
avenging  arrow,  and  whosoever  shall  harm  the 
virgin,  be  he  man  of  Troy  or  Italian,  shall  pay 
the  penalty.  But  her  will  I  carry  back  to  her 
native  country,  neither  shall  any  man  spoil  her 
of  her  arms." 

In  the  meanwhile  Apneas  and  his  army  were 
come  near  to  the  walls.  And  first  the  horsemen 
ran  together  against  each  other,  holding  their 
spears  forth  in  front.  In  this  battle  Tyrrhenus 
the  Tuscan  met  Aconteus,and  drave  him  from  his 
horse  with  the  shock,  as  a  thunderbolt  is  driven 
from  the  sky  or  a  stone  from  an  engine ;  and 
the  ranks  of  the  Latins  were  troubled  and  fled 
and  the  men  of  Troy  pursued  them  ;  but  when 
they  came  near  to  the  gates  the  Latins  turned 
upon  them,  and  the  men  of  Troy  fled  in  their 
turn       Even  as  a  wave  upon  the  shore  floweth 


THE  BATTLE  AT   THE  CITY.  239 

and  ebbeth,  so  twice  they  fled  and  twice  they 
pursued.  But  the  third  time  they  joined  battle, 
and  gave  not  place  one  to  the  other.  Then  fell 
many  men  and  horses  dying  on  the  ground. 
Orsilochus  smote  the  horse  of  Remulus  between 
the  temples,  and  the  beast  reared  and  threw  his 
rider  to  the  earth.  Next  Catillus  of  Tibur 
slew  Iollas,  and  Herminius,  who  fought  with 
breast  and  shoulders  bare,  driving  his  spear 
through  him  from  side  to  side.  But  fiercest  of 
all  was  the  virgin  Camilla.  With  one  breast  bare 
she  fought ;  and  now  she  would  shoot  arrows 
from  her  bow,  and  now  would  ply  the  battle- 
axe.  And  the  virgins  that  were  her  fellows, 
as  Larina  and  Tulla  and  Tarpeia,  followed  close 
behind  her.  Like  to  the  Amazons  they  were 
when,  having  their  shields  shaped  as  is  the  moon, 
they  throng  around  their  Queen  Penthesilea 
or  Hippolyte.  Euneiis  she  slew,  a  man  of  Troy; 
and  Pagasus  and  Liris,  Etruscans ;  and  others 
besides.  With  every  arrow  she  slew  a  man. 
And  the  hunter  Ornytus  came  against  her, 
having  for  helmet  the  head  of  a  wolf  with  white 
teeth,  and  in  his  hand  a  hunting  spear.  He 
was  of  greater  stature  than  other  men,  but  she 


240  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

slew  him,  and  mocked  him,  saying,  "  Didst  thou 
think,  Tuscan,  that  thou  wert  hunting  wild 
beasts  this  day  ?  Lo  !  a  woman's  arms  have 
brought  thy  boast  to  nothing."  Then  she  slew 
Orsilochus  and  Butes,  mighty  men  of  Troy. 
Butes  she  smote  as  he  fled  from  her,  but  from 
Orsilochus  she  made  as  she  would  flee  ;  then, 
wheeling  round,  met  him  face  to  face,  and  cleft 
his  head  in  twain.  The  son  of  Aunus,  whose 
father  dwelt  amongst  the  Apennines,  trembled 
to  see  the  deed,  and  was  fain  to  escape  her  by 
craft,  after  the  fashion  of  his  country,  being  a 
man  of  Liguria.  Therefore  he  said,  "  What 
glory  is  it  if  thou  prevailest  by  reason  of  the 
swiftness  of  thy  horse  ?  Fight  with  me  now  on 
foot,  and  let  us  see  who  shall  gain  the  victory." 
And  when  the  virgin  leapt  to  the  ground,  giv- 
ing her  horse  to  her  companions,  he  turned  his 
horse  to  flee.  But  the  virgin  cried,  "  Thinkest 
thou  to  escape  me  thus,  thou  fool?  Never 
shalt  thou  see  thy  father,  the  crafty  Aunus, 
again."  And  she  made  haste  and  outran  the 
horse,  and  catching  the  reins  in  her  hands, 
stood  before  him  and  slew  him. 

Then   did  Tarchon    the  Tuscan   rebuke  his 


THE  BATTLE  AT   THE  CITY.  241 

horsemen,  calling  each  by  his  name,  saying, 
"  What  fear,  what  baseness,  is  this,  ye  Tuscans  ? 
Shall  a  woman  drive  you  before  her?  Ready 
enough  are  ye  for  the  dance,  and  the  feast,  and 
the  sacrifice  ;  but  ye  lag  behind  in  war."  And 
he  drave  his  horse  at  Venulus  of  Tibur,  and 
caught  him  in  his  arms,  and  carried  him  away. 
As  an  eagle  carries  a  snake  which  he  hath  caught, 
and  the  snake,  winding  his  coils  about  the  bird, 
struggles  and  hisses,  so  did  Tarchon  carry  him 
off,  and  spy  out  a  place  where  he  might  smite 
him,  and  Venulus  strove  amain  to  keep  the 
sword  from  his  throat.  And  all  the  men  of 
Troy  and  the  Tuscans  charged  again  when  they 
saw  their  chief  do  so  valiantly. 

But  all  the  while  Arruns  watched  the  virgin 
Camilla,  that  he  might  take  her  unawares.  Now 
there  was  a  certain  Chloreus,  priest  of  Cybele, 
who  rode  through  the  battle,  very  splendid  to  be- 
hold. For  his  horse  was  clad  in  bronze  mail,  that 
was  clasped  with  gold  ;  and  he  himself  was  clad 
in  purple  from  beyond  the  seas ;  his  bow  was 
of  Lycia  and  his  arrows  of  Crete  ;  of  gold  was 
his  bow,  and  of  gold  the  helmet ;  and  his  saffron 
scarf  was  clasped  with  gold  ;  and  his  tunic  was 

17 


242  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

embroidered  with  needlework,  and  his  trews 
were  of  divers  colours.  Him  alone  the  virgin 
followed,  blind  to  all  beside,  with  a  woman's 
love  of  beautiful  spoil.  And  Arruns  watched 
her  from  the  ambush  where  he  lay  ;  and  when 
the  time  was  come,  he  cried,  "  Apollo,  lord  of 
Soracte,  help  me  now  ;  if  ever  I  and  my  people 
have  passed  over  the  burning  coals  in  thy 
honour,  help  me  now.  I  seek  not  spoil  nor 
glory ;  let  me  return  without  honour  to  my 
country,  so  but  I  slay  this  fury."  And  part  of 
his  prayer  the  god  heard,  and  part  was  scat- 
tered by  the  winds.  Camilla,  indeed,  he  slew, 
but  to  his  country  he  went  not  back.  But  when 
the  bow  twanged,  all  theVolscians  turned  their 
eyes  to  the  queen  ;  but  she  was  not  aware  of 
the  arrow,  even  till  it  smote  her  under  her 
breast.  Then  her  companions  ran  together  and 
caught  her  as  she  fell.  And  she  would  have 
drawn  forth  the  arrow,  but  it  was  deep  in  her 
side.  Then  did  her  eyes  swim  cold  in  death, 
and  the  colour,  that  was  the  colour  of  a  rose, 
faded  from  her  cheek.  And  as  she  died,  she 
said  to  Acca,  who  was  dearest  to  her  of  all  her 
companions,  "Acca,  my  sister,  my  strength  faileth 


THE  BATTLE  AT   THE  CITY.  243 

me.  Bid  Turnus  that  he  join  the  battle,  and 
keep  the  men  of  Troy  from  the  city."  And  she 
loosed  hold  of  the  reins,  and  fell  to  the  earth  ; 
and  the  battle  grew  fiercer  as  she  lay. 

But  when  the  nymph  Opis  saw  that  she  was 
dead,  she  groaned,  and  cried,  "O  Virgin,  thou 
hast  paid  the  penalty  of  thy  deed,  in  that  thou 
defiedst  the  men  of  Troy.  Neither  hath  it 
profited  thee  to  be  the  servant  of  Diana.  Yet 
will  she  not  have  thee  unhonoured  in  thy  death  ; 
for  whosoever  hath  harmed  thee  shall  surely 
die."  Then  she  flew  through  the  air,  and  lighted 
on  a  mound  that  was  the  tomb  of  Laurens, 
that  had  once  been  king  of  the  land.  And 
when  she  saw  Arruns  boasting  of  his  deed — 
for  at  first  he  had  fled  stricken  with  fear,  but 
had  now  taken  heart  again — she  cried,  "  Come 
hither,  that  thou  mayest  suffer  thy  doom,  in  that 
thou  hast  slain  the  virgin  Camilla."  And  she 
drew  the  bow  till  the  ends  thereof  came  close 
together,  and  her  left  hand  was  on  the  arrow- 
head and  her  right  hand  on  the  string.  And 
even  as  Arruns  heard  the  clang  of  the  bow  the 
arrow  smote  him  that  he  died. 

But  when  Camilla  was  dead  her  companions 


244  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

fled,  and  the  Rutulians  also,  and  the  chiefs  were 

scattered  and  the  battalions  left  desolate.    And 

there   rose  a   great  cloud  of  dust    that   rolled 

ever  nearer    the   city ;   and    a    dreadful   shout 

went   up    to    heaven.     Then   those    that    first 

came   to  the  gates  were  trodden  down  by  the 

crowd   behind  them,  that  they  died,  yea,  even 

in  the  sight  of  their  homes.     And  those  that 

were  within  shut  the  gates  and  drave  back  with 

arms  such  as  would  have  entered.     And  then 

was  slaughter  and  confusion  without  end.   And 

even  the  women  upon  the  walls  cast  javelins  with 

their  hands,  and  thrust  with  stakes  of  wood  that 

had  been  charred  with  fire,  even  as  with  spears. 

But  now  there  came  ill  tidings  to  Turnus  as 

he    lay   in    ambush    in    the   wood,    even   that 

Camilla  was  dead,  and  that  the  enemy  had  the 

mastery.     Wherefore  he  rose  up  from  his  place, 

and  came  out  upon  the  plain  ;  and  even  as  he 

rose  up,  iEneas  had  won  his  way  through  the 

wood  and  overpassed  the  ridge.    Then  did  they 

both  haste  towards  the  walls.     And  ^Eneas  saw 

Turnus  and  knew  him,  and  Turnus    also  saw 

iEneas ;  but  the  darkness  hindered  them  that 

they  should  not  fight  together  that  day. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE     BROKEN     TREATY. 

Prince  Turnus,  seeing  that  the  Latins  had  fled 

in  the  battle,  and  that  men  looked  to  him  that 

he  should  perform  that  which  he  had  promised, 

even  to  meet /Eneas  face  to  face,  was  filled  with 

rage.     Even    as  a    lion    which  a    hunter   hath 

wounded  breaketh  the  arrow  wherewith  he  hath 

been  stricken,  and  rouseth    himself  to   battle, 

shaking  his  mane  and  roaring,  so  Turnus  arose. 

And   first  he  spake  to    King  Latinus,  saying, 

'"  Not  for  me,  my  father,  shall  these  cowards  of 

Troy   go    back     from    that    which    they   have 

covenanted.     I  will  meet  this  man  face  to  face, 

and  slay  him  while  ye  look  on  ;  or,  if  the  Gods 

will  that  he  vanquish  me  so,  he  shall  rule  over 

you,  and  have  Lavinia  to  wife." 

But  King  Latinus  made  answer:  "Yet  think 

awhile,  my  son.  Thou  hast  the  kingdom  of  thy 

father    Daunus ;    and    there    are   other    noble 

245 


246  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

virgins  in  Latium  whom  thou  mayest  have  to 
wife.  Wilt  thou  not  then  be  content  ?  For  to 
give  my  daughter  to  any  husband  of  this  nation 
I  was  forbidden,  as  thou  knowest.  Yet  did  I 
disobey,  being  moved  by  love  of  thee,  my  wife 
also  beseeching  me  with  many  tears.  Thou  seest 
what  troubles  I  and  my  people,  and  thou  more 
than  all,  have  suffered  from  that  time.  Twice 
have  we  fled  in  the  battle,  and  now  the  city 
only  is  left  to  us.  If  I  must  yield  me  to  these 
men,  let  me  yield  whilst  thou  art  yet  alive. 
For  what  doth  it  profit  me  that  thou  shouldst 
die  ?  Nay,  but  all  men  would  cry  shame  on 
me  if  I  gave  thee  to  death  !  " 

Now  for  a  space  Turnus  spake  not  for  wrath. 
Then  he  said,  "  Be  not  troubled  for  me,  my 
father.  For  I,  too,  can  smite  with  the  spear ; 
and  as  for  this  ./Eneas,  his  mother  will  not  be 
at  hand  to  snatch  him  in  a  cloud  from  my 
sight." 

Then  Amata  cried  to  him,  saying,  "  Fight 
not,  I  beseech  thee,  with  these  men  of  Troy, 
my  son  ;  for  surely  what  thou  sufferest  I  also 
shall  suffer.  Nor  will  I  live  to  see  iEneas  my 
son-in-law." 


THE  BROKEN   TREATY.  247 

And  Lavinia  heard  the  voice  of  her  mother, 
and  wept.  As  a  man  stains  ivory  with  crimson, 
or  as  roses  are  seen  mixed  with  lilies,  even  so 
the  virgin's  face  burned  with  crimson.  And 
Turnus,  regarding  her,  loved  her  exceedingly, 
and  made  answer  :  "  Trouble  me  not  with  tears 
or  idle  words,  my  mother,  for  to  this  battle  I 
must  go.  And  do  thou,  Idmon  the  herald,  say 
to  the  Phrygian  king, '  To-morrow,  when  the 
sun  shall  rise,  let  the  people  have  peace,  but  we 
two  will  fight  together.  And  let  him  that  pre- 
vaileth  have  Lavinia  to  wife.'  " 

Then  first  he  went  to  the  stalls  of  his  horses. 
The  wife  of  the  North  Wind  gave  them  to 
Pilumnus.  Whiter  than  snow  were  they,  and 
swifter  than  the  wind.  Then  he  put  the  coat 
of  mail  about  his  shoulders,  and  fitted  a  helmet 
on  his  head,  and  took  the  great  sword  which 
Vulcan  had  made  for  Daunus  his  father,  and 
had  dipped  it  when  it  was  white-hot  in  the  river 
of  Styx.  His  spear  also  he  took  where  it  stood 
against  a  pillar,  saying,  "  Serve  me  well,  my 
spear,  that  hast  never  failed  me  before,  that 
I  may  lay  low  this  womanish  robber  of  Phrygia, 
and  soil  with  dust  his  curled  and  perfumed  hair.  " 


248  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

The  next  day  the  men  of  Italy  and  the  men 
of  Troy  measured  out  a  space  for  the  battle. 
And  in  the  midst  they  builded  an  altar  of  turf. 
And  the  two  armies  sat  on  the  one  side  and  on 
the  other,  having  fixed  their  spears  in  the  earth 
and  laid  down  their  shields.  Also  the  women 
and  the  old  men  stood  on  the  towers  and  roofs 
of  the  city,  that  they  might  see  the  fight. 

But  Queen  Juno  spake  to  Juturna,  the  sister 
of  Turn  us,  saying, "  Seest  thou  how  these  two  are 
now  about  to  fight,  face  to  face  ?  And  indeed 
Turnus  goeth  to  his  death.  As  for  me,  I  endure 
not  to  look  upon  this  covenant  or  this  battle. 
But  if  thou  canst  do  aught  for  thy  brother,  lo  ! 
the  time  is  at  hand. "  And  when  the  Nymph 
wept  and  beat  her  breast,  Juno  said,  "  This  is 
no  time  for  tears.  Save  thy  brother,  if  thou 
canst,  from  death  ;  or  cause  that  they  break  this 
covenant." 

After  this  came  the  kings,  that  they  might 
make  the  covenant  together.  And  King  La- 
tinus  rode  in  a  chariot  with  four  horses,  and 
he  had  on  his  head  a  crown  with  twelve  rays 
of  gold,  for  he  was  of  the  race  of  the  Sun  ;  and 
Turnus    came    in    a    chariot   with    two    white 


THE  BROKEN   TREATY.  249 


horses,  having  a  javelin  in  either  hand;  and 
iEneas  had  donned  the  arms  which  Vulcan  had 
made,  and  with  him  was  the  young  Iiilus.  And 
after  due  offering  iEneas  sware,  calling  on  all 
the  Gods,  "  If  the  victory  shall  fall  this  day  to 
Turnus,  the  men  of  Troy  shall  depart  to  the 
city  of  Evander,  nor  trouble  this  land  any  more. 
But  if  it  fall  to  me,  I  will  not  that  the  Latins 
should  serve  the  men  of  Troy.  Let  the  nations 
be  equal  one  with  the  other.  The  gods  that 
I  bring  we  will  worship  together,  but  King 
Latinus  shall  reign  as  before.  A  new  city 
shall  the  men  of  Troy  build  for  me,  and  Lavinia 
shall  call  it  after  her  own  name.  " 

Then  King  Latinus  sware,  calling  on  the 
Gods  that  are  above  and  the  Gods  that  are 
below,  saying,  "This  covenant  shall  stand  for 
ever,  whatsoever  may  befall.  As  sure  as  this 
sceptre  which  I  bear— once  it  was  a  tree,  but  a 
cunning  workman  closed  it  in  bronze,  to  be  the 
glory  of  Latium's  kings— shall  never  again  bear 
twig  or  leaf,  so  surely  shall  this  covenant  be 
kept.  " 

But  the  thing  pleased  not  the  Latins  ;  for 
before,   indeed,    they  judged    that   the   battle 


250  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

would  not  be  equal  between  two ;  and  now 
were  they  the  more  assured,  seeing  them  when 
they  came  together,  and  that  Turnus  walked 
with  eyes  cast  to  the  ground,  and  was  pale  and 
wan.  Wherefore  there  arose  a  murmuring  among 
the  people,  which  when  Juturna  perceived,  she 
took  upon  herself  the  likeness  of  Gamers,  who 
was  a  prince  and  a  great  warrior  among  them, 
and  passed  through  the  host  saying,  "  Are  ye 
not  ashamed,  men  of  Italy,  that  one  man  should 
do  battle  for  you  all  ?  For  count  these  men  : 
surely  they  are  scarce  one  against  two.  And  if 
he  be  vanquished,  what  shame  for  you  !  As  for 
him,  indeed,  though  he  die,  yet  shall  his  glory 
reach  to  the  heavens ;  but  ye  shall  suffer  dis- 
grace, serving  these  strangers  for  ever. " 

And  when  she  saw  that  the  people  were 
moved,  she  gave  also  a  sign  from  heaven.  For 
lo  !  an  eagle  that  drave  a  crowd  of  sea-fowl  be- 
fore him,  swooped  down  to  the  water,  and  caught 
a  great  swan ;  and  even  while  the  Italians 
looked,  the  birds  that  before  had  fled  turned 
and  pursued  the  eagle,  and  drave  him  before 
them,  so  that  he  dropped  the  swan  and  fled 
away.     Which    thing  when   the    Italians   per- 


THE  BROKEN    TREATY.  251 


ceived,  they  shouted,  and  made  them  ready  for 
battle.  And  the  augur  Tolumnius  cried,  "  This 
is  the  token  that  I  have  looked  for.  For  this 
eagle  is  the  stranger,  and  ye  are  the  birds,  which 
before,  indeed,  have  fled,  but  shall  now  make 
him  to  flee." 

And  he  ran  forward  and  cast  his  spear,  smit- 
ing a  man  of  Arcadia  below  the  belt,  upon  the 
groin.  One  of  nine  brothers  was  he,  sons  of  a 
Tuscan  mother,  but  their  father  was  a  Greek  ; 
and  they,  when  they  saw  him  slain,  caught 
swords  and  spears,  and  ran  forward.  And 
straightway  the  battle  was  begun.  First  they 
brake  down  the  altars,  that  they  might  take 
firebrands  therefrom  ;  and  King  Latinus  fled 
from  the  place.  Then  did  Messapus  drive  his 
horses  against  King  Aulestesof  Mantua,  who, 
being  fain  to  fly,  stumbled  upon  the  altar  and 
fell  headlong  on  the  ground.  And  Messapus 
smote  him  with  a  spear  that  was  like  a  weaver's 
beam,  saying,  "  This,  of  a  truth,  is  a  worthier 
victim."  After  this  Coryneiis,  the  Arcadian,  when 
Ebysus  would  have  smitten  him,  snatched  a 
brand  from  the  altar  and  set  fire  to  the  beard 
of  the  man,  and,    before  he  came  to  himself, 


252  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

caught  him  by  the  hair,  and  thrusting  him  to 
the  ground,  so  slew  him.  And  when  Poda- 
lirius  pursued  Alsus  the  shepherd,  and  now  held 
his  sword  over  him  ready  to  strike,  the  other 
turned,  and  with  a  battle-axe  cleft  the  man's 
head  from  forehead  to  chin. 

But  all  the  while  the  righteous  iEneas,  having 
his  head  bare,  and  holding  neither  spear  nor 
sword,  cried  to  the  people,  "  What  seek  ye  ? 
what  madness  is  this  ?  The  covenant  is  estab- 
lished, and  I  only  have  the  right  to  do  battle." 
But  even  while  he  spake  an  arrow  smote  him, 
wounding  him.  But  who  let  it  fly  no  man 
knoweth ;  for  who,  of  a  truth,  would  boast  that 
he  had  wounded  iEneas?  And  he  departed 
from  the  battle. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

THE     DEATH     OF     TURNUS. 

Now  when  Turnus  saw  that  zEneas  had  de- 
parted from  the  battle  he  called  for  his  chariot. 
And  when  he  had  mounted  thereon  he  drave 
it  through  the  host  of  the  enemy,  slaying  many 
valiant  heroes,  as  Sthenelusand  Pholus,  and  the 
two  sons  of  Imbrasus  the  Lycian,  Glaucus  and 
Lades.  Then  he  saw  Eumedes,  son  of  that 
Dolon  who  would  have  spied  out  the  camp  of 
the  Greeks,  asking  as  his  reward  the  horses  of 
Achilles  (but  Diomed  slew  him).  Him  Turnus 
smote  with  a  javelin  from  afar,  and,  when  he 
fell,  came  near  and  put  his  foot  upon  him, 
and  taking  his  sword  drave  it  into  his  neck, 
saying,  "  Lo  !  now  thou  hast  the  land  which 
thou  soughtest.  Lie  there,  and  measure  out 
Italy  for  thyself."  Many  others  he  slew,  for 
the  army  fled  before  him.  Yet  did  one  man, 
Phegeus  by  name,  stand  against  him,  and  would 

253 


254  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 


have  stayed  the  chariot,  catching  the  bridles  of 
the  horses  in  his  hand.  But  as  he  clung  to  the 
yoke  and  was  dragged  along,  Turnus  broke 
his  cuirass  with  his  spear,  and  wounded  him. 
And  when  the  man  set  his  shield  before  him, 
and  made  at  Turnus  with  his  sword,  the  wheels 
dashed  him  to  the  ground,  and  Turnus  struck 
him  between  the  helmet  and  the  breast-plate, 
and  smote  off  his  head. 

But  in  the  meanwhile  Mnestheus  and  Achates 
and  lulus  led  ^Eneas  to  the  camp,  leaning  on 
his  spear.  Very  wroth  was  he,  and  strove  to 
draw  forth  the  arrow.  And  when  he  could  not, 
he  commanded  that  they  should  open  the  wound 
with  the  knife,  and  so  send  him  back  to  the 
battle.  lapis  also,  the  physician,  ministered  to 
him.  Now  this  lapis  was  dearer  than  all  other 
men  to  Apollo,  and  when  the  god  would  have 
given  him  all  his  arts,  even  prophecy  and  music 
and  archery,  he  chose  rather  to  know  the  virtues 
of  herbs  and  the  art  of  healing,  that  so  he  might 
prolong  the  life  of  his  father,  who  was  even 
ready  to  die.  This  lapis,  then,  having  his  gar- 
ments girt  about  him  in  healer's  fashion,  would 
have   drawn  forth  the  arrow  with  the  pincers 


THE  DEATH  OF    TURN  US.  255 

but  could  not.  And  while  he  strove,  the  battle 
came  nearer,  and  the  sky  was  hidden  by  clouds 
of  dust,  and  javelins  fell  thick  into  the  camp. 
But  when  Venus  saw  how  grievously  her  son  was 
troubled,  she  brought  from  Ida,  which  is  a  moun- 
tain of  Crete,  the  herb  dittany.  A  hairy  stalk  it 
hath  and  a  purple  flower.  The  wild  goats  know 
it  well  if  so  be  that  they  have  been  wounded 
by  arrows.  This,  then,  Venus,  having  hidden 
her  face,  brought  and  dipped  into  the  water, 
and  sprinkled  there  with  ambrosia  and  sweet- 
smelling  panacea. 

And  lapis,  unawares,  applied  the  water  that 
had  been  healed  ;  and  lo !  the  pain  was  stayed 
and  the  blood  was  staunched,  and  the  arrow 
came  forth,  though  no  man  drew  it,  and  iEneas's 
strength  came  back  to  him  as  before.  Then 
said  lapis,  "Art  of  mine  hath  not  healed  thee, 
my  son.  The  Gods  call  thee  to  thy  work." 
Then  did  ^Eneas  arm  himself  again,  and  when 
he  had  kissed  lulus  and  bidden  him  farewell, 
he  went  forth  to  the  battle.  And  all  the  chiefs 
went  with  him,  and  the  men  of  Troy  took 
courage  and  drave  back  the  Latins.  Then 
befell  a  great  slaughter,  for  Gyas   slew  Ufens. 


256  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

who  was  the  leader  of  the  iEquians;  also 
Tolumnius,  the  great  augur,  was  slain,  who 
had  first  broken  the  covenant,  slaying  a  man 
with  his  spear.  But  zEneas  deigned  not  to 
turn  his  hand  against  any  man,  seeking  only 
for  Turnus,  that  he  might  fight  with  him.  But 
when  the  nymph  Juturna  perceived  this  she 
was  sore  afraid.  Therefore  she  came  near  to 
the  chariot  of  her  brother,  and  thrust  out  Metis- 
cus,  his  charioteer,  where  he  held  the  reins, 
and  herself  stood  in  his  room,  having  made  her- 
self like  to  him  in  shape  and  voice.  Then  as  a 
swallow  flies  through  the  halls  and  arcades  of 
some  rich  man's  house,  seeking  food  for  its 
young,  so  Juturna  drave  the  chariot  of  her 
brother  hither  and  thither.  And  ever  ^Eneas 
followed  behind,  and  called  to  him  that  he 
should  stay  ;  but  whenever  he  espied  the  man, 
and  would  have  overtaken  him  by  running, 
then  again  did  Juturna  turn  the  horses  about 
and  flee.  And  as  he  sped  Messapus  cast  a  spear 
at  him.  But  vEneas  saw  it  coming,  and  put 
his  shield  over  him,  resting  on  his  knee.  Yet 
did  the  spear  smite  him  on  the  helmet-top  and 
shear  off  the  crest.     Then  indeed  was  his  wrath 


THE  DEATH  OF   TURN  US.  257 

kindled,  and  he  rushed  into  the  army  of  the 
enemy,  slaying  many  as  he  went. 

Then  was  there  a  great  slaughter  made  on 
this  side  and  on  that.  But  after  a  while  Venus 
put  it  into  the  heart  of  ^Eneas  that  he  should 
lead  his  army  against  the  city.  Therefore  he 
called  together  the  chiefs,  and,  standing  in 
the  midst  of  them  on  a  mound,  spake,  saying, 
'*  Hearken  now  to  my  words,  and  delay  not 
to  fulfil  them,  for  of  a  truth  Jupiter  is  on  our 
side.  I  am  purposed  this  day  to  lay  this 
city  of  Latinus  even  with  the  ground,  if  they 
still  refuse  to  obey.  For  why  should  I  wait 
for  Turnus  till  it  please  him  to  meet  me  in 
battle  ?  " 

Then  did  the  whole  array  make  for  the  walls 
of  the  city.  And  some  carried  firebrands,  and 
some  scaling-ladders,  and  some  slew  the  warders 
at  the  gates,  and  cast  javelins  at  them  who 
stood  on  the  walls.  And  then  there  arose  a 
great  strife  in  the  city,  for  some  would  have 
opened  the  gates  that  the  men  of  Troy  might 
enter,  and  others  made  haste  to  defend  the  walls. 
Hither  and  thither  did  they  run  with  much 
tumult,  even  as  bees  in  a  hive  in  a  rock  which 


258  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

a  shepherd  hath  filled  with  smoke,  having  first 
shut  all  the  doors  thereof. 

Then  also  did  other  ill  fortune  befall  the 
Latins,  for  when  Queen  Amata  saw  from  the 
roof  of  the  palace  that  the  enemy  were  come  near 
to  the  walls,  and  saw  not  anywhere  the  army  of 
the  Latins,  she  supposed  Turnus  to  have  fallen 
in  the  battle.  Whereupon,  crying  out  that  she 
was  the  cause  of  all  these  woes,  she  made  a 
noose  of  the  purple  garment  wherewith  she  was 
clad,  and  hanged  herself  from  a  beam  of  the  roof. 
Then  did  lamentation  go  through  the  city,  for 
the  women  wailed  and  tore  their  hair,  and  King 
Latinus  rent  his  clothes  and  threw  dust  upon 
his  head. 

But  the  cry  that  went  up  from  the  city  came 
to  the  ears  of  Turnus  where  he  fought  in 
the  furthest  part  of  the  plain.  And  he  caught 
the  reins  and  said, "  What  meaneth  this  sound 
of  trouble  and  wailing  that  I  hear  ?  "  And  the 
false  Metiscus,  who  was  in  truth  his  sister,  made 
answer,  "  Let  us  fight,  O  Turnus,  here  where 
the  Gods  give  us  victory.  There  are  enough  to 
defend  the  city."  But  Turnus  spake,  saying, 
"Nay,  my  sister,  for  who  thou  art  I  have  known 


THE  DEATH  OE    TURN  US.  259 

even  from  the  beginning,  it  must  not  be  so. 
Why  earnest  thou  down  from  heaven  ?  Was  it 
to  see  thy  brother  die  ?  And  now  what  shall  I 
do  ?  Have  I  not  seen  Murranus  die  and  Ufens 
the  /Equian  ?  And  shall  I  suffer  this  city  to 
be  destroyed  ?  Shall  this  land  see  Turnus  flee 
before  his  enemies  ?  Be  ye  kind  to  me,  O  Gods 
of  the  dead,  seeing  that  the  Gods  of  heaven  hate 
me.  I  come  down  to  you  a  righteous  spirit,  and 
not  unworthy  of  my  fathers." 

And  even  as  he  spake  came  Saces,  riding  on 
a  horse  that  was  covered  with  foam,  and  on  his 
face  was  the  wound  of  an  arrow.  And  he 
cried,  "  O  Turnus,  our  last  hopes  are  in  thee. 
For  yEneas  is  about  to  destroy  the  city,  and 
the  firebrands  are  cast  upon  the  roofs.  And 
King  Latinus  is  sore  tried  with  doubt,  and  the 
Queen  hath  laid  hands  upon  herself  and  is  dead. 
And  now  only  Messapus  and  Atinas  maintain 
the  battle,  and  the  fight  grows  fierce^  around 
them,  while  thou  drivest  thy  chariot  about  these 
empty  fields." 

Then  for  a  while  Turnus  stood  speechless, 
and  shame  and  grief  and  madness  were  in  his 
soul ;  and    he  looked  to  the  city,  and  lo !  the 


26o  STORIES  FROM   VIRGIL. 

fire  went  up  even  to  the  top  of  the  tower  which 
he  himself  had  builded  upon  the  walls  to  be  a 
defence  against  the  enemy.  And  when  he  saw 
it,  he  cried,  "  It  is  enough,  my  sister ;  I  go 
whither  the  Gods  call  me.  I  will  meet  with 
yEneas  face  to  face,  and  endure  my  doom." 

And  as  he  spake  he  leapt  down  from  his 
chariot,  and  ran  across  the  plain  till  he  came 
near  to  the  city,  even  where  the  blood  was  deepest 
upon  the  earth  and  the  arrows  were  thickest  in 
the  air.  And  he  beckoned  with  the  hand  and 
called  to  the  Italians,  saying, "  Stay  now  your 
arrows.  I  am  come  to  fight  this  battle  for  you 
all."  And  when  they  heard  it  they  left  a  space 
in  the  midst.  iEneas  also,  when  he  heard  the 
name  of  Turnus,  left  attacking  the  city,  and 
came  to  meet  him,  mighty  as  Athos,  or  Eryx, 
or  Father  Apenninus,  that  raiseth  his  snowy 
head  to  the  heavens.  And  the  men  of  Troy 
and  the  Latins  and  King  Latinus  marvelled  to 
see  them  meet,  so  mighty  they  were. 

First  they  cast  their  spears  at  each  other,  and 
then  ran  together,  and  their  shields  struck  one 
against  the  other  with  a  crash  that  went  up 
to  the  sky.    And  Jupiter  held  the  balance  in 


THE  DEATH  OF    TURN  US.  26  r 

heaven,  weighing  their  doom.  Then  Turnus, 
rising  to  the  stroke,  smote  fiercely  with  his 
sword.  And  the  men  of  Troy  and  the  Latins 
cried  out  when  they  saw  him  strike.  But  the 
treacherous  sword  brake  in  the  blow.  And 
when  he  saw  the  empty  hilt  in  his  hand  he 
turned  to  flee.  They  say  that  when  he  mounted 
his  chariot  that  day  to  enter  the  battle,  not  heed- 
ing the  matter  in  his  haste,  he  left  his  father's 
sword  behind  him,  and  took  the  sword  of 
Metiscus,  which,  indeed,  served  him  well  while 
the  men  of  Troy  fled  before  him,  but  brake, 
even  as  ice  breaks,  when  it  came  to  the  shield 
which  Vulcan  had  made.  Thereupon  Turnus 
fled,  and  ^Eneas,  though  the  wound  which  the 
arrow  had  made  hindered  him,  pursued.  Even 
as  a  hound  follows  a  stag  that  is  penned  within 
some  narrow  space,  for  the  beast  flees  hither 
and  thither,  and  the  staunch  Umbrian  hound 
follows  close  upon  him,  and  almost  holds 
him,  and  snaps  his  teeth,  yet  bites  him  not,  so 
did  iEneas  follow  hard  on  Turnus.  And  still 
Turnus  cried  out  that  some  one  should  give 
him  his  sword,  and  /Eneas  threatened  that  he 
would  destroy  the  city  if  any  should  help  him. 


262  STORIES  FROM    VIRGIL. 

Five  times  about  the  space  they  ran ;  not  for 
some  prize  they  strove,  but  for  the  life  of 
Turnus.  Now  there  stood  in  the  plain  the 
stump  of  a  wild  olive-tree.  The  tree  was 
sacred  to  Faunus,  but  the  men  of  Troy  had  cut 
it,  and  the  stump  only  was  left.  Herein  the 
spear  of  ^Eneas  was  fixed,  and  now  he  would 
have  drawn  it  forth  that  he  might  slay  Turnus 
therewith,  seeing  that  he  could  not  overtake 
him  by  running.  Which  when  Turnus  per- 
ceived, he  cried  to  Faunus,  saying,  "  O  Faunus, 
if  I  have  kept  holy  for  thee  that  which  the  men 
of  Troy  have  profaned,  hold  fast  this  spear." 
And  the  god  heard  him ;  nor  could  JEneas 
draw  it  forth.  But  while  he  strove,  Juturna, 
taking  again  the  form  of  Metiscus,  ran  and  gave 
to  Turnus  his  sword.  And  Venus,  perceiving 
it,  wrenched  forth  the  spear  from  the  stump. 
So  the  two  stood  again  face  to  face. 

Then  spake  Jupiter  to  Juno,  where  she  sat 
in  a  cloud  watching  the  battle,  "  How  long  wilt 
thou  fight  against  fate  ?  What  purpose  hast 
thou  now  in  thy  heart?  Was  it  well  that 
Juturna — for  what  could  she  avail  without  thy 
help  ? — should  give  back  to  Turnus  his  sword  ? 


THE  DEATH  OF   TURN  US.  263 

Thou  hast  driven  the  men  of  Troy  over  land 
and  sea,  and  kindled  a  dreadful  war,  and  mingled 
the  song  of  marriage  with  mourning.  Further 
thou  mayest  not  go." 

And  Juno  humbly  made  answer,  "  This  is  thy 
will,  great  Father ;  else  had  I  not  sat  here,  but 
stood  in  the  battle  smiting  the  men  of  Troy. 
And  indeed  I  spake  to  Juturna  that  she  should 
help  her  brother ;  but  aught  else  I  know  not. 
And  now  I  yield.  Yet  grant  me  this.  Suffer 
not  that  the  Latins  should  be  called  after  the 
name  of  Troy,  nor  change  their  speech  nor  their 
garb.  Let  Rome  rule  the  world,  but  let  Troy 
perish  for  ever." 

Then  spake  with  a  smile  the  Maker  of  all 
things,  "  Truly  thou  art  a  daughter  of  Saturn, 
so  fierce  is  the  wrath  of  thy  soul !  And  now 
what  thou  prayest  I  give.  The  Italians  shall  not 
change  name,  nor  speech,  nor  garb.  The  men  of 
Troy  shall  mingle  with  them,  and  I  will  give 
them  a  new  worship,  and  call  them  all  Latins. 
Nor  shall  any  race  pay  thee  more  honour  than 
they." 

Then  Jupiter  sent  a  Fury  from  the  pit.  And 
she  took  the  form  of  a  bird,  even  of  an    owl 


264  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

that  sitteth  by  night  on  the  roof  of  a  desolate 
house,  and  flew  before  the  face  of  Turnus  and 
flapped  her  wings  against  his  shield.  Then  was 
Turnus  stricken  with  great  fear,  so  that  his  hair 
stood  up  and  his  tongue  clave  to  the  roof  of  his 
mouth.  And  when  J  uturna  knew  the  sound  of 
the  false  bird  what  it  was,  she  cried  aloud  for 
fear,  and  left  her  brother  and  fled,  hiding  her- 
self in  the  river  of  Tiber. 

But  yEneas  came  on,  shaking  his  spear  that 
was  like  unto  a  tree,  and  said,  "  Why  delayest 
thou,  O  Turnus  ?  Why  drawest  thou  back  ? 
Fly  now  if  thou  canst  through  the  air,  or  hide 
thyself  in  the  earth."  And  Turnus  made  answer, 
"  I  fear  not  thy  threats,  but  the  Gods  and  Jupiter, 
that  are  against  me  this  day."  And  as  he  spake 
he  saw  a  great  stone  which  lay  hard  by,  the 
landmark  of  a  field.  Scarce  could  twelve  chosen 
men,  such  as  men  are  now,  lift  it  on  their 
shoulders.  This  he  caught  from  the  earth  and 
cast  it  at  his  enemy,  running  forward  as  he  cast. 
But  he  knew  not,  so  troubled  was  he  in  his  soul, 
that  he  ran  or  that  he  cast,  for  his  knees  tottered 
beneath  him  and  his  blood  grew  cold  with  fear. 
And  the  stone  fell  short,  nor  reached  the  mark. 


THE  DEATH  OF   TURN  US.  26$ 

Even  as  in  a  dream,  when  dull  sleep  is  on  the 
eyes  of  a  man,  he  would  fain  run  but  cannot,  for 
his  strength  faileth  him,  neither  cometh  there 
any  voice  when  he  would  speak ;  so  it  fared 
with  Turnus.  For  he  looked  to  the  Latins  and 
to  the  city,  and  saw  the  dreadful  spear  approach, 
nor  knew  how  he  might  fly,  neither  how  he 
might  fight,  and  could  not  spy  anywhere  his 
chariot  or  his  sister.  And  all  the  while  iEneas 
shook  his  spear  and  waited  that  his  aim  should 
be  sure.  And  at  the  last  he  threw  it  with  all  his 
might.  Even  as  a  whirlwind  it  flew,  and  brake 
through  the  seven  folds  of  the  shield  and  pierced 
the  thigh.  And  Turnus  dropped  with  his  knee 
bent  to  the  ground.  And  all  the  Latins  groaned 
aloud  to  see  him  fall.  Then  he  entreated  iEneas, 
saying,  "  I  have  deserved  my  fate.  Take  thou 
that  which  thou  hast  won.  Yet  perchance  thou 
mayest  have  pity  on  the  old  man,  my  father, 
even  Daunus,  for  such  an  one  was  thy  father 
Anchises,  and  give  me  back  to  my  own  people, 
if  it  be  but  my  body  that  thou  givest.  Yet  hast 
thou  conquered,  and  the  Latins  have  seen  me 
beg  my  life  of  thee,  and  Lavinia  is  thine. 
Therefore,  I  pray  thee,  stay  now  thy  wrath." 


?66  STORIES  FROM  VIRGIL. 

Then  for  awhile  iEneas  stood  doubting  ;  aye, 
and  might  have  spared  the  man,  when  lo !  he 
spied  upon  his  shoulders  the  belt  of  Pallas,  whom 
he  had  slain.  And  his  wrath  was  greatly  kindled, 
and  he  cried  with  a  dreadful  voice,  "  Shalt  thou 
who  art  clothed  with  the  spoils  of  my  friends 
escape  me?  Tis  Pallas  slays  thee  with  this 
wound,  and  takes  vengeance  on  thy  accursed 
blood."  And  as  he  spake  he  drave  the  steel 
into  his  breast.  And  with  a  groan  the  wrathful 
spirit  passed  into  darkness. 


THE    END. 


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Miss  Lou 

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